Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2023
391. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection the manner in which a retained firefighter is assessed for jobseeker’s payments; the types of income which are reckonable and the types of income which are not; if there are any exemptions which apply to income earned by retained firefighters for call-out duties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32335/23]
View answerRetained fire-fighters who are otherwise unemployed may make a claim for a jobseeker’s payment in respect of days that they are engaged in fire-fighting or training, subject to the normal jobseeker qualifying conditions in relation to social insurance contributions or means. They are also required to satisfy the statutory conditions for the receipt of a jobseeker’s payment of being available for and genuinely seeking full-time work.
However, taking account of the unusual circumstances of retained fire personnel the Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 carried amendments to both jobseeker’s benefit and jobseeker’s allowance that put the treatment of retained fire-fighters on a legislative basis. These amendments were introduced with particular regard to the vital service provided by this group, particularly in rural communities where the fire service is almost exclusively staffed by retained personnel.
This legislation provided that when a retained fire-fighter is on call this will not result in a disallowance for a jobseeker’s payment on grounds of availability. It also provides that retained fire-fighters are exempt from suffering a loss of a day of jobseeker’s payment for any day of firefighting employment. Finally, the legislation also provides an exemption for retained fire fighters from having to satisfy the substantial loss of employment condition under Jobseeker’s Benefit.
To qualify for Jobseeker’s Allowance, all jobseeker's must satisfy the qualifying conditions, including satisfying a means test. Part-time firefighters are entitled to a weekly rate (including days that they are engaged in firefighting or training) less any means that apply. All earnings from employment as a retained firefighter, except PRSI, Union Dues and Pension Contributions, are assessable as means.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
