People with a consistent work history who lose their job are to receive €450 per week – almost double the current dole amount – as part of a new welfare initiative from today, writes Ken Murray.

The new payment is part of a major welfare reform as outlined in the Programme for Government.

This scheme replaces the existing Jobseeker’s Benefit for people who become unemployed and have enough PRSI contributions for the scheme.

It is open for applications from people whose first day of unemployment is today.

Applications need to be made within six weeks of losing a job.

Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit, as it is called, means the amount of dole a person receives is linked to their previous earnings, subject to a maximum of €450 and a minimum of €125.

The introduction of the new benefit brings Ireland in line with other EU countries.

Payment rates under the new scheme will see the weekly rate of payment for people who have at least five years’ PRSI contributions is set at 60% of previous earnings, subject to a maximum of €450 for the first 13 weeks.

After that, the rate will be 55% of earnings, subject to a maximum of €375 for the following 13 weeks.

Another 13 weeks will be paid at the rate of 50% of previous earnings, up to a maximum €300 payment.

For people who have between two and five years of PRSI contributions, the rate is set at 50% of previous earnings subject to a maximum of €300 per week and of 26 weeks’ duration.

To qualify for the benefit, a person must have at least 104 employment or optional PRSI contributions in the period since entering insurance, and at least four employment contributions in the 10 weeks immediately prior to the date the application for benefit is made.

Applicants must also have at least 26 employment contributions in the 52 weeks immediately prior to the first week for which they are claiming benefit.

The scheme is available to people who become fully unemployed on or after today, March 31.

This means that their last day of employment must be on or after Friday March 28.

People who became unemployed before today can apply for the existing Jobseeker’s Benefit scheme.

People on Jobseeker’s Benefit today will remain on that payment until they return to employment, subject to the normal rules of that scheme.

People can apply for the means-tested Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme if they do not meet the contribution conditions for Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit or if it would be more financially beneficial for them to do so.

Applicants can apply for the scheme through MyWelfare.ie or through their local Intreo Centre or branch office.

Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary said: “Today’s announcement fulfils a key commitment in the Programme for Government.

“If you lose your job, the sudden loss in income can be difficult to adjust to. The Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit will help people during this period of uncertainty while they seek new employment.

“I encourage anyone who has lost their job and who meets the conditions for this new scheme to make an application through MyWelfare.ie.”

The existing Jobseeker’s Benefit scheme is being retained for people already receiving Jobseeker’s Benefit and for people who may not be eligible for the new scheme because they are working on a part-time, casual, shorttime or seasonal basis.

Self-employed people continue to be supported under the current Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) scheme.

Further information is available at Gov.ie/JPRB.