Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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151. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if pandemic unemployment payment applicants can close their claim to take on a period of work and then go back on the payment by making a new claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25870/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government has extended the Pandemic Unemployment Payment until the end of March 2021 to support employees and businesses who continue to be impacted by the on-going public health restrictions. I have also secured approval to keep the scheme open to new applicants until the end of the year.

This means that anyone who loses their employment as a result of the pandemic between now and the end of the year will be able to avail of this payment. It also means that anyone who closes their claim to take up employment and subsequently loses that employment as a result of the pandemic will be able to re-apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.