Jobseeker’s Benefit: Fine for those who refuse to engage with employment services to be doubled to €90

In one of her last acts as Social Protection Minister, Heather Humphreys decided to double the fine imposed on unemployed people in receipt of jobseeker payments who do not engage with her department.

Speaking on his way into cabinet this morning, Taoiseach Simon Harris said it is “common sense” that there are penalties for those on jobseekers allowance who do not engage in employment services.

He added that people needed to “play ball”.

“The Minister for Social Protection will take legislation to the Seanad, the Social Welfare Bill, and included in that is again a common sense measure to make sure that our social welfare system is compassionate but also that people have to play ball,” the Taoiseach said.

“This idea that if you refuse to engage with our activation services in the Department of Social Protection, that that can just continue indefinitely, I don’t think anyone thinks that’s fair,” he added.

The Taoiseach said while there are some people who are unable to work or some who…

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Independent.ie