Question about new Pay-Related Benefit scheme

dinneenp · 21-08-2024 11:32am #1

Hi,

(Info is from a July article)

The Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 has been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas and will now be presented to the President for signing.

Key features of the new Pay-Related Benefit scheme include:

The weekly rate of payment for people who have at least 5 years paid PRSI contributions will be set at 60% of previous earnings, subject to a maximum of €450 for the first 3 months.
After that, the rate will reduce to 55% of earnings, subject to a maximum of €375 for the following 3 months.

The article mentions October but that's just in relation to the PRSI increase. Does anyone know if this has been signed by the President, if not any estimate of when it will be?

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/1806c-landmark-legislation-to-introduce-pay-related-benefit-in-ireland-passed-by-the-oireachtas/#:~:text=The%20weekly%20rate%20of%20payment,for%20the%20following%203%20months

Thanks in advance.

zell12 · 21-08-2024 11:38am

It was enacted 15 July. https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2024/36/

dinneenp · 26-08-2024 11:07am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122527460#Comment_122527460

Thanks. I phoned Social Welfare and they said it's enacted but not in place yet…He expects it'll happen soonish once the Government sits again.

Gregor Samsa · 29-08-2024 2:13pm

Been looking into this myself too. A friend of mine went into an Intreo center today and asked about it, and they said that it hadn't been signed by the President yet - but if you look at the history of the Bill, it was signed by him on the 15th of July 🙄

But from reading the bill, it seems that it the scheme will begin whenever the Minister decides it does (emphasis mine):

1.(3) This Act, other than this Part, Part 2 and Part 4, comes into operation on such day or days as the Minister for Social Protection may appoint by order or orders either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision, and different days may be so appointed for different purposes or different provisions.

dinneenp · 29-08-2024 2:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122558982#Comment_122558982

I emailed the Office of the Minister of Social Protection asking if you lose your job in Oct and scheme comes into place in Nov will you get the higher rate of the new scheme. They replied saying-

The new scheme will apply to claims that start on or after the commencement date for the scheme.

I followed up with 'do you have any estimate for when the scheme commences and what exactly needs to be done before it can commence?'

To which they replied-

I wish to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence to the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, regarding new Pay Related Benefit Scheme .

Enquiries are being made and a further letter will issue to you as soon as possible.

I've contacted one of my local TDs asking if they can do anything that might help in the scheme being put in place asap.

mikelata · 25-09-2024 7:07pm

The new scheme will apply to claims that start on or after the commencement date for the scheme.

(maybe) you could appeal the decision or reapply if you were already on Jobseeker's when the new scheme starts.

StormForce13 · 25-09-2024 7:18pm

"The department will work on the necessary administrative, technical and IT arrangements over the coming months to facilitate the introduction of this scheme in Quarter 4 of this year."

Q4 starts next Tuesday!

Gregor Samsa · 01-10-2024 7:00am

According to The Irish Times, it'll be announced in the Budget today that the new scheme will be introduced at the end of March 2025:

Pay Related Benefit, which ensures those with stronger working histories receive higher welfare payments if they lose their jobs, will start on March 31st, 2025.

https://www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2024/09/19/budget-2025-what-we-know-so-far-from-energy-credits-to-lump-sum-payments-and-childcare-plans/

mikelata · 02-10-2024 7:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122670759#Comment_122670759

was it actually announced in the Budget? I did not see it mentioned in any of the summaries I read

Gregor Samsa · 02-10-2024 10:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122677755#Comment_122677755

It's listed on The Department Of Social Protection's Budget 2025 measures, under the Support For Jobseekers section:

introduction of the Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit Scheme from 31 March 2025

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e8315-budget-2025/#supports-for-jobseekers

Question about new Pay-Related Benefit scheme

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