Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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724. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons over 66 years of age who apply for the Covid-19 payment may have their cases judged on their individual circumstances;the process of dealing with applications from persons over 66 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15012/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been introduced as an emergency measure so that payments can be made as quickly as possible to the large number of people who have become fully unemployed due to the pandemic. This emergency payment is payable to people between the ages of 18 up to 66 which is consistent with the other Social Protection jobseeker schemes. It is paid to people who, in most cases, have no other source of income.

People over 66 are eligible for and can apply for a State Pension. Those over 66 do not pay social insurance contributions and can, if in receipt of the State Contributory Pension retain all of their State pension as well as their employment income and retain that pension payment if they lose employment income. People in receipt of the non-contributory or means tested pension who are also in receipt of an employment income may have their pension payment increased if they lose that employment income or if that employment income is reduced.

Recipients of State pension payments may, depending on their individual circumstances, have access to a range of other income supports not available to unemployed people – including the free fuel allowance, the living alone allowance, the household benefits package (gas./electricity), the telephone support allowance, free travel and the free TV licence.

Where a person is experiencing financial hardship they can apply for assistance through the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance. Queries in relation to eligibility should be made by phone to their local Intreo Centre or Branch Office.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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725. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications received for the pandemic unemployment payment from persons over 66 years of age; the number of Covid-19 payments made to persons over 66 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15013/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that 4,849 people aged 66 or older have submitted an application for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to people aged 18 up to 66 years, and is consistent with other jobseeker and social protection income supports paid to working age persons. People aged 66 years and over may not avail of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, but are provided for within the Social Protection income support framework through the State Pension, either the State Pension Contributory or the State Pension Non-Contributory.

Persons in receipt of the means-tested State Pension Non-Contributory who are also in receipt of an employment income may have their pension payment increased if they lose that employment income or if that employment income is reduced. Similarly if a person aged over 66 who did not previously qualify or make an application for a means-tested pension may qualify for a pension payment if their circumstances change – including if they lose any employment income or if that employment income is reduced.

A person of any age who is experiencing financial hardship can access assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme including Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments where the need is demonstrated.