Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will answer the question about the over-65s first. I take the point the Deputy makes. As she will know, the over-65s payment is a new payment and was introduced to deal with a specific problem. As we know, people found that their contracts terminated at age 65 and they were going onto jobseekers' payments. We changed that such that they can now apply for the benefit payment for 65-year-olds. The payment was set up to resolve a problem we had. I agree that we need to move forward on this in a broader sense. I think we can do that through the pensions commission recommendations. I take the Deputy's point, however. I was glad that I was able to bring in a good number of changes in the budget to improve the position of carers. As she will know, the means test for carers' payments was changed to increase the number of people eligible. Carer's allowance is there to help people who carry out caring roles. That is the position at the moment but, as I said, I take the point she made and will look into the matter. It would be better, however, if we looked at this in the overall context of the pensions commission report.

As for the PUP, as the Deputy will know, businesses are open and able to trade, and many are actively recruiting. The number on the live register is down to approximately 165,000 and the number on the PUP is down to 55,000. There are, therefore, no signs at present that there are lay-offs happening as a result of the midnight closing time. The number of people claiming jobseeker's payments and those claiming the PUP continue to decrease. The EWSS Estimate is based on the decision made. We do not have a figure to hand as to what the cost would be without that change. The Estimate for the EWSS is provided to us by the Department of Finance. As the Deputy will know, we set out a pathway and a plan for the PUP and now two rates are payable, a rate of €203 and a rate of €250. That will continue for those receiving the PUP until the end of January or early February. Then they will transition onto jobseeker's payments. For some people it is actually more beneficial to be on jobseeker's at the moment because they may be able to qualify for a qualified dependant payment, that is, they may be able to claim for a partner or spouse or for qualified children. For some, therefore, it is better that they apply for jobseeker's. As the Deputy will know, the PUP was introduced at a time we had thousands of people out of work because of the restrictions. That is somewhat different now. If people are laid off, we are able to cope with the numbers that come in. If people come to us, we can go through the full suite of social protection supports we have available and we are happy to do that with them.

I think I have answered the Deputy's questions. I thank her for them.