Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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153. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the social welfare complaints made by Aer Lingus employees that they have been prevented from claiming the temporary wage subsidy scheme and or the employment wage subsidy scheme and the short time work support scheme have been addressed; if the matter of back pay and the unfairness of no back pay being awarded for the employees that have been prevented from claiming both social welfare schemes for months have been addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25930/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Department has clarified that where a person has had a reduction in their days of employment, subject to satisfying the relevant eligibility criteria, employees may claim casual jobseeker payments or Short-Time Work Support payments for days of unemployment, even where their employer is claiming the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme for days of employment.

Officials from my department engaged with the company on this matter and I understand that an agreed process is in place so that outstanding information required to finalise decisions on social welfare entitlements will be provided by the company to their employees as quickly as possible. It is expected that this will be completed this week.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department will prioritise decisions on these applications on receipt of this information so that claims are put into payment as quickly as possible.

Decisions around entitlement to social welfare claims for periods prior to the introduction of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme on 1 September will depend on meeting the eligibility conditions, including satisfying the Department with regard to days of unemployment. Applications are assessed on an individual basis and the Department will notify each individual of the outcome of its decision.

Any person who is experiencing financial hardship may access assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme including Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments. Information on the supports available under this scheme is available at www.gov.ie

Finally, any legal obligations that an employer may have to their employees regarding the terms, conditions or entitlements of their employment, including pay, is a matter for the employer.

I trust this clarifies the position.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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154. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of social welfare applicants that have been in receipt of both the temporary wage subsidy scheme and the short time work support scheme together by week in each of the past six months; the number of social welfare applicants that have been in receipt of both the employment wage subsidy scheme and the short time work support scheme together since the employment wage subsidy scheme was introduced, in tabular form. [25931/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by officials in my Department that analysis of recipients on these particular schemes will take more time. The information will be sent to the Deputy as soon as it is available.