Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1117. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment will continue after 8 June 2020; if so, the length of time; the rate which will be paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9101/20]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1124. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date to which the pandemic unemployment payment will be extended to; and if the current rate of the payment will be maintained throughout the Covid-19 period. [9295/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1117 and 1124 together.

The COVID-19 unemployment payment was introduced as a time limited emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic and the final payment is due to be made on 9th June 2020.

As we gradually move through the phases of reopening our society and the economy, we need to assess the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and see 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 according to the evidence we receive from the reopening of the economy.  Arrangements for supports paid after 9th June 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.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1118. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment who were part-time workers; her plans to reform the short-term working support scheme to allow former part-time workers to be eligible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9107/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment was introduced in March 2020 as a time-limited emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.  Payments issued to some 579,400 people this in the previous week.  I am advised that the Department does not hold data on the numbers who were working part time or full time.

The short time work support is a social insurance contribution based income support available to full time employees who have had the number of their days of employment reduced on a temporary basis due to a reduction in business, including following the effects of the Pandemic.

Where an employee, including a part time employee, has had their hours of work reduced and is unemployed for 4 days or more in a week they can apply for the social-insurance based jobseekers benefit.  If an employee does not qualify for these social insurance supports they may be eligible for the means tested jobseekers allowance scheme. 

I trust this clarifies the position at this time.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1119. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average number of hours worked per week by pandemic unemployment payment recipients by sector; the average net weekly wage of part-time workers by sector in receipt of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9108/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am advised that the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection does not hold data on hours worked per week customers, including those in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).