Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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1095. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a review of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment is carried out, if it will allow unemployed taxi drivers returning to work to avail of the back to work allowance scheme; if she will consider amending the scheme to facilitate such payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8836/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The back to work enterprise allowance (BTWEA) scheme offers support for people who are long-term unemployed and interested in self-employment as a route to entering the labour market.  The support is available to someone looking to take the first steps into self-employment when setting up a new business.  It allows someone to retain a reducing proportion of their qualifying social welfare payment over two years.  Under the rules of the scheme, which were reviewed in 2016, taxi drivers are not currently approved as they do not meet the displacement and market saturation tests.

Government recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for businesses.  The Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation has introduced a range of supports and guidance for businesses available on their website.  As part of the overall Government response, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners introduced a Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme.  The scheme is available to employers who keep employees on the payroll throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning employers can retain links with employees for when business picks up after the crisis.

As we gradually move through the phases of reopening our society, we need to review the nature of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and 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 based on the evidence we receive from the reopening of the economy.  Arrangements for supports beyond that date 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.

I trust this clarifies the position at this time.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1096. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the hardship facing persons who are awaiting arrears for their Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment; if the case of a person (details supplied) can be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8858/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced by my Department in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  To be eligible for the Covid-19 PUP a person must have been in employment or self-employment on or after 06/03/2020 and must have lost their employment or self-employment due to a downturn in economic activity related to Covid-19. 

According to the records of this Department the person concerned originally applied for the Covid-19 PUP on 24/03/2020, entering his date last worked as 29/02/2020.  On this basis a Covid-19 PUP did not issue as he was not employed on or after 06/03/2020.

On 27/04/2020, the person concerned revised his application to reflect a date last worked of 14/03/2020.  Subsequently a Covid-19 PUP was awarded on 05/05/2020 and he has been in payment on a weekly basis since.

The current focus is on ensuring that payments are made and continue to be paid 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 application may need to be individually reviewed to accurately calculate any arrears. This work can only begin when my Department has time and attention to focus on what will be a considerable task.

While this is not ideal I can assure you that all cases will be examined and where arrears arise they will be processed and applicants will be notified.  Updates on the process will be available on www.gov.ie/deasp.

If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulties he can contact his local Community Welfare Service in the Bishop’s Square Intreo Centre where his circumstances will be assessed.  Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department can make a single Exceptional Needs Payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.  There is no automatic entitlement to these payments which are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case, in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.  The Community Welfare Service may be contacted by email at CWSBishopSquare@welfare.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter.