Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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301. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there is a plan in place in her Department to quickly and efficiently process pandemic unemployment payment applications if Ireland needs to go to a Plan for Living with Covid-19 level 5 designation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29773/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to employees and self-employed persons who lose their employment due to the impact of Covid-19. The quickest and most efficient way to apply is online at www.MyWelfare.ie and approximately 97% of applications are received online. Claim inflows and subsequent processing are monitored on a daily basis. While the majority of claims are awarded automatically, resources are in place to deal with cases which fall out of the award process. I can assure the Deputy that the processing of Pandemic Unemployment Payments is a key priority for my Department.

I hope that this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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302. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there is a plan in place in her Department to increase the levels of pandemic unemployment payment rates if Ireland needs to go to a Plan for Living with Covid-19 level 5 designation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29774/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Pandemic Unemployment Payment was implemented as an emergency measure intended to last for 6 to 12 weeks. However, the impact of Covid-19 has been deeper and will last longer than anticipated back in March.

Changes have been made to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment to ensure it continues to be sustainable over the longer duration of the scheme by linking the payment rates to employees’ previous earnings. Because of the decisions this Government has taken, the scheme has been extended until the end of March 2021 and remains open to new applicants until the end of 2020.

Any further changes to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be made having regard to the evolving public health situation and available resources.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.