According to the Department of Social Welfare, recent third-level graduates are currently treated the same as others who are unemployed. If graduates are covered through having paid social insurance (PRSI) contributions while working in part-time or holiday jobs they can claim the weekly jobseeker's benefit, but must be able to show they are genuinely seeking and available for employment.

If they don't qualify for jobseeker's benefit, they may be able to claim for the means-tested jobseeker's allowance, and again must be available for, and genuinely seeking work.

Graduates 24 years old or under, and who are living in the family home, will have the parents' income assessed in what is called 'benefit and privilege' (what used to be referred to as 'board and lodgings'). This must be below a certain level to qualify for the allowance. Thirty four per cent of parents' assessable income is taken into account and assessed as benefit and privilege.

It may be possible in certain instances to claim jobseeker's allowance if working days are reduced, or if the graduate can only get part-time or casual work. Under the recent supplementary budget, the payment will be reduced in May to €100 a week for new claimants under the age of 20. (Students who have just left school cannot claim jobseeker's allowance – they must be out of school for three months, at least 18 years of age and satisfy the means test.)

www.welfare.ie