Green Party TD Patrick Costello has called for lower Jobseeker's Allowance rates for under 25s to be abolished.
However, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys ruled out the idea, saying that she does not “propose to remove age-related rates at this time”.
The current rate of Jobseekers’ Allowance for those aged over 25 is €220 a week. Those aged between 18 and 24 who are living independently also receive that rate.
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However, people aged 18-24 and not living independently receive €129.70 per week.
Mr Costello asked Minister Humphreys in a parliamentary question if she would “remove the payment differential”.
The Fine Gael TD said that the differing rates were put in place on a “phased basis” from 2009 to “tackle high youth unemployment and to avoid long-term welfare dependency”.
“Where a jobseeker aged 18-24 participates in approved full-time education or training they will receive the maximum rate of payment,” she added.
Minister Humpreheys also confirmed to Social Democrats that the estimated cost of increasing the rate of Jobseeker's Allowance for young people aged under 25 years is €64.91 million.
Mr Costelllo told the Irish Mirror that the young person rates should be increased as he questioned the “logic behind the difference in payment”.
“The fact that there remains an ongoing disparity between independent adults is a matter of discrimination and ageism,” the Green Party TD said.
“Let’s be clear this is a departmental decision laid out in its policy, it is not set in legislation. It is time the Minister acts.
“Given the ongoing housing crisis, cost of living crisis and energy crisis, it is time finally to end this unfair practice once and for all.
“Different rates of payment of social welfare based on gender, religion or sexual orientation would be unacceptable, the same should be true of age.
“The grounds for discrimination as laid out in the Equal Status Acts are not being followed in this instance.”
In her response to Mr Costello, Minister Humphreys said that if young people on Job Seekers participated in the Work Placement Experience Programme, their weekly rate increases to €323.
She also argued that age-related Jobseeker’s Allowance rates do not apply to those with qualifying child dependents or those who were in care of the HSE Child and Family Agency (Tusla) during the 12 months immediately before they turned 18.
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