Jobseeker’s Allowance in Ireland currently stands at €254 per week for those aged 25 and over, following a €10 weekly increase introduced as part of Budget 2026 which came into effect from January of this year.
The payment is a means-tested social welfare scheme available to people who are unemployed, actively seeking work and habitually resident in Ireland. It is not paid for the first three days of any new claim, reports The Mirror.
A significant reform to jobseeker payments was introduced in March 2025, when a new Pay-Related Jobseeker’s Benefit scheme came into effect.
Under this system, people who become unemployed and have paid at least five years of PRSI contributions can receive a payment linked to their previous earnings, starting at a maximum of €450 per week for the first three months, reducing to €375 for the following three months and €300 for the final three months, reports The Mirror.
Those who do not qualify for the Pay-Related Jobseeker’s Benefit — either due to insufficient PRSI contributions or because they became unemployed before the scheme’s introduction — may instead qualify for the means-tested Jobseeker’s Allowance, reports The Mirror.
Reduced personal rates apply to those aged 18 to 24, with some exceptions. Applicants must have their identity verified to SAFE Level 2 before payments can be issued, and claims can be made online through MyWelfare.ie using a verified MyGovID account, or in person at a local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office, reports The Mirror.
The payment week for Jobseeker’s Allowance runs from Wednesday to Tuesday, and recipients are required to confirm their availability for work on an ongoing basis.
Those on Jobseeker’s Allowance may also be entitled to additional payments, including an Increase for a Qualified Adult if supporting a partner on a low income, reports The Mirror.
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