Written answers

Tuesday, 10 November 2020

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Carer's Allowance

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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526. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person whose carer's allowance payment ceases 12 weeks following the death of the person being cared for is entitled to the pandemic unemployment payment when that person is unable to return to employment due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35254/20]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment was introduced as a statutory social welfare scheme on 5th August to continue to mitigate the adverse economic effects of the pandemic. To be eligible for the payment a person must have been in employment and lost that employment as a direct consequence of the pandemic and they are not being paid by their employer. A self employed person must have suffered a reduction in their trading income to the extent that they are available for full time employment.

Based on the information provided, the person referred to by the Deputy does not appear to satisfy these conditions. Where a person does not qualify for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment they may be eligible for support under the jobseeker schemes. Jobseeker's Benefit is available to individuals who have sufficient PRSI contributions paid and meet the other qualifying conditions of the scheme. Where a person does not qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit they may be eligible for means tested Jobseeker's Allowance.

Any person who is experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for other financial supports under the means-tested supplementary welfare allowance scheme including an Exceptional or Urgent Needs payment. Information on the supports available is available at www.gov.ie.

I trust that this clarifies the position.

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