Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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750. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment each week since the scheme was introduced by age of the recipients; the number of students in receipt of the payment; her plans for the continued payment of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15410/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The COVID 19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as a time-limited emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. The payment has been extended by the Government to August 10th and there is now a two-level payment structure which links the payment to gross prior earnings.

As we gradually move through the phases of reopening our society and the economy, we need to assess the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and see how it fits into cross-Government plans to keep Ireland healthy and get the country working again. Any future decisions will be based on our commitment that everyone who needs help will get the most appropriate assistance and also according to the evidence we receive from the reopening of the economy. Arrangements for supports paid after 10^th August will be considered by Government as part of its broad-based approach to management of the emergency across all sectors of the economy and society.

To Wednesday July 8th just under 6% of current PUP recipients have certified themselves as a full-time student either at second-level or third-level for the academic year 2019/2020.

Age breakdowns are published by my Department each Monday at and by the Central Statistics Office each Friday at , and are also provided in the following table.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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751. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons over 65 years of age in receipt of Covid-19 payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15411/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to people aged 18 up to 66 years, and is consistent with other jobseeker and social protection income supports paid to working age persons.

I am advised that of the 412,859 people who received a Pandemic Unemployment Payment on the week ending 11th July 2020 there were 4,026 recipients who were 65 years of age.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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752. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications received for Covid-19 payments from persons over 65 years of age; the number of successful applicants; if payments made in error to some persons have been identified; her plans to recoup same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15412/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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There were 11,539 applications submitted for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment from people aged 65 or older.

A total of 6,690 people aged 65 or older have received at least one Pandemic Unemployment Payment and of those 4,026 received a payment this week.

In cases where persons are found to be ineligible for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment my Department will contact the person concerned and seek to recoup the money paid. If a person considers that they have inadvertently applied for the payment they should stop their payment online atwww.MyWelfare.ieunder the Covid-19 payment section or by contacting the Department's Income Support Helpline at 1 890 800 024.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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755. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the process involved and timeline for reapplying for the pandemic unemployment payment after a person comes off same to accept short-term employment for a day to several days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15415/20]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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765. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the process involved and the timeline for reapplying for a pandemic unemployment payment in cases in which a person comes off the payment to avail of short-term employment for a day or several days in an arts production or similar. [15529/20]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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773. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the process involved and timeline for reapplying for the pandemic unemployment payment after a person came off it to accept short-term employment of a day or several days. [15619/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 755, 765 and 773 together.

Where a person closes their Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment in order to take up short-term employment and if that employment ceases as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic they may reapply for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment by using the online facility at www.mywelfare.ie.Currently, there are no backlogs in the processing of claims for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

However, if their short term employment ended for reasons other than the Covid-19 pandemic they should apply for a jobseeker's payment by using the online facility at www.mywelfare.ieor by post to their nearest Intreo Centre or Branch Office.

A claim for a Pandemic Unemployment Payment or a Jobseeker's payment should be made as soon as a person becomes unemployed.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.