Stephen Rogers, in the Irish Examiner, reports:
The Government has begun withholding dole payments to jobseekers who refuse to take part in its Gateway job activation scheme.
The Department of Social Protection has confirmed that, as of May 2, four people had been disqualified from receiving their jobseeker’s allowance for up to nine weeks because they failed to engage with the scheme.
Under the terms of the Gateway initiative, dole claimants who have been on the Live Register for more than two years are paid an extra €20 per week on top of their jobseeker’s allowance to work for local authorities.
An average of 19.5 hours per week is on offer in areas including village enhancement schemes; landscaping; tourism ambassadors; animal control; and libraries.
Each placement lasts for 22 months.
Jobseekers who refuse placement lose dole payment (Irish Examiner)
