Rates of Unemployment Benefits in Ireland in 2023
How much is the Dole in Ireland ?
There are two types of welfare payments for unemployed people in Ireland. (They are both sometimes informally known as”the Dole” in Ireland).
Jobseekers Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance From Jan 1st 2023
1. Jobseekers Benefit : JSB
Jobseeker’s Benefit is a weekly payment from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to people who are out of work and covered by social insurance (PRSI). In other words – you must have been previously in a job and have paid a certain number of PSRI contributions. It is paid for a maximum of 9 months. Full Rules Here
Maximum Weekly Rates :
- Personal rate €220
- plus €146 for a dependent adult
- plus €42 for each child under 12
- plus €50 for each child aged 12 or over.
- For example: : A couple with 2 children (11 and 13) would get a maximum of €458 a week ( €23,816 a year)
- To get the maximum rate – your average weekly earnings must have been €300 or more. The rates are lower if your pay was lower
2. Jobseekers Allowance : JSA
Jobseekers Allowance is payable to claimants who have not paid enough PSRI contributions (or any). The top rates of payment are very similar to Jobseekers Benefit – but under 25’s get a lower rate.
You go on to Jobseekers Allowance after you have used up your entitlement to Jobseeker’s Benefit.
Maximum Weekly Rate JSA : €220 plus €146 for a dependent adult plus €42 for each child under 12 and €50 for each child aged 12 or over.
People under 25 will get the full rate of €220 if they have dependent children
People under 25 without children will only get the full rate of €220 if they are living independently and getting a state housing support such as Rent Supplement, RAS or HAP.
If they are living with their parents or not getting housing support they will get a lower rate of Jobseekers of €129.70 a week with €129.70 for a dependent adult.
The main differences between Jobseekers Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance – are:
- Jobseekers Benefit is not means-tested
The income of your partner is not taken into account for Jobseekers Benefit.
Jobseekers Benefit is only paid for 12 months. - Jobseekers Allowance is subject to a means test – . A means test is when your income is calculated to find out if it falls below a certain level. If it falls below a certain level you can get Jobseeker’s Allowance. The income of your partner will be taken into consideration too.
See here about getting Jobseekers Allowance paid while you are abroad and looking for work.