Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 68A

Jobseeker's benefit — disqualification for course of study

Section 68A sets out the rules preventing people who are studying from claiming jobseeker's benefit, and defines the periods during which a person is treated as being a student.

• A person attending a course of study cannot receive jobseeker's benefit, except in prescribed circumstances.
• School leavers are treated as students for 3 months after finishing secondary education or completing the Leaving Certificate, whichever is later.
• A person is regarded as studying throughout each academic year of their course.
• Students remain classified as studying during summer breaks between academic years, but not after their final year ends.