Written answers

Wednesday, 20 May 2020

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Photo of Marc Ó CathasaighMarc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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1295. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if clarity will be provided regarding the eligibility for the pandemic unemployment payment of Irish citizens who have returned from abroad due to loss of employment owing to the Covid-19 crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6917/20]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment was introduced in March 2020 as a time limited emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment in Ireland which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.  In order to be eligible for this payment a person must have been resident in the state and in employment or self-employment on or after 6 March 2020 and have become fully unemployed due to the downturn in economic activity caused by the pandemic. 

People who have returned to Ireland having lost employment abroad and who were not working in the state on or after 6 March 2020 are not entitled to the COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.  In the first instance they should apply for unemployment benefit in the country they last worked which may then be transferred to Ireland.

Where a person of any age is experiencing financial hardship they can apply for financial support through the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme from my department. 

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