Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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14. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if dependents of pandemic unemployment payment applicants can be added to their claim. [39988/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Pandemic Unemployment Payment, or PUP as it is known, is payable at four different rates depending on an individual's prior earnings. It is payable at €203 per week which is the same rate as the maximum personal rate of jobseekers, at €250, €300 and €350. The maximum €350 rate is aligned with the two adult household rate payable on jobseekers schemes.

As PUP is now a pay-related benefit there are no plans to introduce allowances for adult and child dependents for PUP. Where a person with dependents may be entitled to a higher rate of payment than that on PUP they are advised to claim for jobseekers benefit, which is based on a person's social insurance record, or the means tested jobseekers allowance.

The weekly rate for an increase for a qualified adult is €134.70 and the current weekly rates for each qualified child is €36 if they are aged under 12 and €40 per week for each child over 12. I announced as part of Budget 2021 an increase to the child dependent rates for those under 12 years and those over to €38 and €45 respectively from January 2021.

Any person who may be entitled to a higher rate of payment under Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance should contact their Intreo centre to assess their individual circumstances.

I trust that this clarifies the position for you.