Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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1148. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if clarity will be provided regarding one parent families in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and another social welfare payment regarding the measures expected to be enacted to claim some portion of this income back (details supplied). [9512/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department, in line with the overall Government response to this public health emergency, moved swiftly to put in place enhanced and new supports for existing customers and new customers who, as a result of COVID-19, are working reduced hours or who have lost their employment entirely – even if on a temporary basis.  A priority from the outset has been to ensure that income still flows into the households which need it most.  For example, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment can be paid concurrently with key supports for low income and lone parent families such as the Working Family Payment, One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment.

As we gradually move through all the phases of reopening our society, we need to review the nature of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment - how it has been applied and how it fits into cross-Government plans to keep Ireland healthy and get the country working again. We are currently considering all of this but I would emphasise that any future decisions will be based on our commitment that everyone who needs help will get the most appropriate assistance.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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1152. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has taken steps to investigate suspected abuse of the pandemic unemployment payment by employers since its introduction particularly relating to the misclassification of workers as self-employed; the number of suspected breaches by employers reported and subsequently investigated; the way in which cases into suspected fraud by employers are ongoing as a result of these investigations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9570/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) Scheme was put in place to ensure that those people who lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic would receive an income support as quickly as possible. It is individuals who claim PUP, not employers, and it is open to those employed as an employee or on a self-employed basis.

The introduction of the PUP scheme was quickly followed by the establishment of the Covid-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS), which is administered by the Revenue Commissioners. Application for payment under the TWSS is made by the employer and is paid to the employer.

While suspected abuse of the TWSS is a matter for Revenue, my Department is responsible for ensuring that PUP claimants meet the eligibility conditions. Where any individual claimant is found not to have been entitled to a PUP payment, the Department will use all of its powers to recover any outstanding monies due.

Additionally, it is expected that over the coming weeks and months the Department’s engagements with employers in relation to the operation of the PRSI system will be in a position to increase as restrictions are eased. This includes the investigation of employment status issues, in particular the misclassification of employees as self-employed.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.