Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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1219. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a pandemic unemployment payment will be backdated for a person (details supplied). [5916/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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According to the records of my Department, I am advised that the person concerned is currently in receipt of a Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment (PUP).

The current focus is on ensuring that PUP payments are made and continue to be made to all who qualify for them.  My Department is aware that many people are due some arrears and that each person's case is unique.  This means that each person's individual application may need to be reviewed to accurately calculate any arrears due.

Given the current extraordinary circumstances it will be some time before my Department will be able to fully resolve the arrears issue.  Should the person concerned be experiencing financial difficulties he can contact the Community Welfare Service (CWS) in the Tallaght Intreo Centre to seek financial assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme.

Under SWA, the Department can make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.

The Community Welfare Service can be contacted by phone at 01 4629400 or by email at .

Updates will also be provided via  my Departments website.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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1220. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the expenditure to date on the pandemic unemployment payment; the number in receipt of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5938/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Expenditure on Pandemic Unemployment Payment is €1.5 billion to date.  This includes 585,000 people who will received the payment during week commencing Monday, 18th May 2020 costing €204.6 million.