Social Welfare Act 2010

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Jobseeker’s allowance — reduction of rates in certain circumstances.

8.— (1) The Principal Act is amended by inserting the following section after section 141 (as amended by section 6 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2009 ):

“Jobseeker’s allowance — reduction of rates in certain circumstances.

141A.— Notwithstanding section 141, in the case of a person who—

(a) has, when requested to do so by an officer of the Minister, without good cause refused to participate, or to agree to participate, in a course of training which is considered appropriate by the officer having regard to the training needs of the person and his or her personal circumstances,

(b) has, without good cause, refused or failed to avail himself or herself of any reasonable offer of training provided or approved of by An Foras Áiseanna Saothair, or

(c) has, without good cause, refused or failed to avail himself or herself of an opportunity of participating in a programme administered by An Foras Áiseanna Saothair and the Minister pursuant to the plan commonly known as the National Employment Action Plan,

the scheduled rate of jobseeker’s allowance shall be the weekly rate as set out in section 142(1A), 142A(1A) or, as the case may be, 142B(1A).”.

(2) Section 142 (as amended by section 6 of the Act of 2009) of the Principal Act is amended by inserting the following subsection after subsection (1):

“(1A) Subject to this Act and notwithstanding subsection (1), in the case of a person to whom section 141A refers, the scheduled rate of jobseeker’s allowance shall be reduced and accordingly shall be the weekly rate as set out in column (2) at reference 1(b) of Part 1 of Schedule 4 which shall be reduced in each week by €44, increased by—

(a) the amount set out in column (3) of that Part opposite that reference for any period during which the claimant or beneficiary has a qualified adult, subject to the restriction that the claimant or beneficiary shall not be entitled for the same period to an increase of allowance under this paragraph in respect of more than one person, and

(b) the appropriate amount set out in column (4) of that Part opposite that reference in respect of each qualified child who normally resides with the claimant or beneficiary.”.

(3) Section 142A (as amended by section 6 of the Act of 2009) of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by inserting the following subsection after subsection (1):

“(1A) Subject to this Act and notwithstanding subsection (1), in the case of a person to whom section 141A refers, the scheduled rate of jobseeker’s allowance shall be reduced and accordingly shall be the weekly rate as set out in column (2) at reference 1(c) of Part 1 of Schedule 4 which shall be reduced in each week by €25, increased by the amount set out in column (3) of that Part opposite that reference for any period during which the claimant or beneficiary has a qualified adult, subject to the restriction that the claimant or beneficiary shall not be entitled for the same period to an increase of allowance under this subsection in respect of more than one person.”,

and

(b) in subsection (2)(a), by inserting “or subsection (1A)” after “subsection (1)”.

(4) Section 142B (inserted by section 6 of the Act of 2009) of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by inserting the following subsection after subsection (1):

“(1A) Subject to this Act and notwithstanding subsection (1), in the case of a person to whom section 141A refers, the scheduled rate of jobseeker’s allowance shall be reduced and accordingly shall be the weekly rate as set out in column (2) at reference 1(d) of Part 1 of Schedule 4 which shall be reduced in each week by €33, increased by the amount set out in column (3) of that Part opposite that reference for any period during which the claimant or beneficiary has a qualified adult, subject to the restriction that the claimant or beneficiary shall not be entitled for the same period to an increase of allowance under this subsection in respect of more than one person.”,

and

(b) in subsection (2)(a), by inserting “or subsection (1A)” after “subsection (1)”.

(5) Section 147 (as amended by section 4 of and Schedule 1 to the Act of 2006) of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) in subsection (4) by—

(i) deleting paragraph (b), and

(ii) by deleting paragraph (c),

and

(b) by inserting the following subsection after subsection (4):

“(4A) A person shall be disqualified for receiving jobseeker’s allowance where he or she has refused an offer of suitable employment.”.