← Ireland's unemployment rate

Unemployment Benefits in Ireland

Ireland pays Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit (and Jobseeker's Benefit for those on reduced hours) from PRSI contributions, and means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance, through the Department of Social Protection and its Intreo centres.

✓ From official pages   ✓ Each part says when we checked

At a glance

Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit

Department of Social Protection

0818 300 600

Department of Social Protection (LoCall)

Apply on the official site

The job market in Ireland

5.4%
unemployed, August 2026
14.3%
of 15 to 24-year-olds
5.4%
a year earlier

The International Labour Organization's estimates put Ireland 78th lowest of 183 countries for unemployment in 2025; the world's rate was 4.9%.

Ireland's unemployment rate over the years · every country, ranked

What to do first

  1. Register with the public employment service, Intreo (Department of Social Protection). Official page
  2. Apply for Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit: claim on your first day out of work through a verified MyWelfare.ie account, or at a local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office. Official page
  3. Keep up with the job-search rule while you claim (below), and keep a record of where you applied.
  4. Search the government's job listings on JobsIreland. Official page
  5. See whether you can get Jobseeker's Allowance. Official page
  6. Questions: call 0818 300 600 (Department of Social Protection (LoCall)).

Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit

Who can get it. Fully unemployed people aged 18-66, capable of and available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work, with enough PRSI contributions (at least 104).

How much. With 260+ contributions: weeks 1-13 60% of gross average earnings (maximum €450 per week), weeks 14-26 55% (maximum €375), weeks 27-39 50% (maximum €300). With 104-259 contributions: 50% (maximum €300 per week) for weeks 1-26. Minimum rate €125.

For how long. Up to 39 weeks with 260 or more PRSI contributions; up to 26 weeks with 104 to 259.

How to claim. Claim on your first day out of work through a verified MyWelfare.ie account, or at a local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

From an official page, read October 25, 2026.

Looking for work while you claim

Claimants must be capable of and available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work; payment can be cut or stopped if they do not attend meetings or take part in suitable schemes, training or work experience.

From an official page, read October 25, 2026.

Keep my work search record for Ireland

Free. It lists where you applied and what else you did to look for work, each line ready to copy into the form you report on. It is your own record: we send nothing to any government.

Help finding work

Jobseeker's Allowance

Means-tested, not contribution-based, for habitually resident people aged 18-66; paid for an unlimited period up to 66, maximum €254 a week personal rate (aged 25+) in 2026.

From an official page, read October 25, 2026.

Health cover between jobs

People whose weekly income comes only from social welfare payments are granted a medical card (free GP and public hospital care) by the HSE.

From an official page, read October 25, 2026.

Who to call

Department of Social Protection (LoCall): 0818 300 600.

From an official page, read October 25, 2026.

Questions

Is there unemployment benefit in Ireland?

Yes: Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit, paid by Department of Social Protection.

How much is unemployment benefit in Ireland?

With 260+ contributions: weeks 1-13 60% of gross average earnings (maximum €450 per week), weeks 14-26 55% (maximum €375), weeks 27-39 50% (maximum €300). With 104-259 contributions: 50% (maximum €300 per week) for weeks 1-26. Minimum rate €125.

How long does unemployment benefit last in Ireland?

Up to 39 weeks with 260 or more PRSI contributions; up to 26 weeks with 104 to 259.

How do I claim unemployment benefit in Ireland?

Claim on your first day out of work through a verified MyWelfare.ie account, or at a local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

Do I have to look for work while I claim in Ireland?

Claimants must be capable of and available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work; payment can be cut or stopped if they do not attend meetings or take part in suitable schemes, training or work experience.

Who do I call about unemployment in Ireland?

Department of Social Protection (LoCall): 0818 300 600.

Where can I get help finding a job in Ireland?

The public employment service is Intreo (Department of Social Protection). The government lists jobs on JobsIreland.

Nearby countries

DenmarkEstoniaFaroe IslandsFinlandGuernseyIcelandIsle of ManJerseyLatviaLithuaniaNorwaySvalbard & Jan MayenSwedenUnited KingdomÅland Islands

Where this comes from

Every part of this page was read on an official website, and each links the page it came from and the day we checked it. Rules and amounts change, so check that page before you rely on a figure. Jobareer is not part of any government and cannot see or change a claim.

See also: unemployment rate by country · Ireland's unemployment rate · unemployment in the US, state by state.