Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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666. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment will not be subject to forms of clawback in the future. [10148/20]

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.