Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the clarification on the supplementary payment. I have just two questions. Many other areas have been covered. Regarding the CE supervisors, it is good that an offer has been made. It is to be hoped they will be happy with the offer.

I wish to ask the Minister about the EWSS. A number of Deputies have tabled questions about the PUP to her in the past week or so. She referred to the fact that she will continue with the cuts to the PUP and said employers are encouraged to avail of the EWSS to retain staff on their payroll, yet the scheme is being cut today. If that cut had not taken place, how much extra would the Department have needed in the Revised Estimates? On the basis that the Government has advised people to go out only once a week rather than possibly twice or three times and to cut back on their social contacts, does the Minister think her Department is right to make this cut?

I welcome the changes to the carer's allowance and the announcement she has made in that regard. There is one group, however, that I have raised with her previously and wish to raise again today, which is those availing of the benefit payment for 65-year-olds. I have heard from a woman who was working until recently, when she turned 65. She applied for the benefit payment for 65-year-olds and the half-rate carer's allowance and was refused the latter. Yet when she reaches 66 and avails of her State pension, she will be able to get that allowance. That is an anomaly arising from the change made from the jobseeker's transitional payment to the payment for 65-year-olds and it should be looked at. Very few people around the country may be affected by it - I do not know - but this woman is losing nearly €150 a week now. I ask the Minister to look into that and to change that as soon as possible in order that people such as this woman are able to avail of the half-rate carer's allowance. They should be entitled to it when they turn 66 with a State pension.