Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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598. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when pandemic unemployment payment arrears will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1875/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Pandemic Unemployment Payment received by the person concerned on the 20th October 2020 was in respect of the period 9th October 2020 to the 15th October 2020.

I am advised that when PUP arrears were being calculated in respect of the person concerned, a payment in respect of the period from 2nd to the 8th October was processed but these arrears were nullified by an earlier PUP overpayment for the period from 24th to 30th July 2020.

In practical terms, while the person concerned was awarded PUP with effect from 2 October, the arrears due went towards the overpayment from earlier in the year.

I am advised that the person concerned is consequently not due any payment from the Department at this stage.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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599. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment will be extended to those who cannot secure childcare and therefore cannot work during the current restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1877/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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To date over €5 billion has been paid in relation to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment since its introduction in March 2020 in response to the effects of the Covid-19 virus. On 5th August the payment was introduced as a statutory scheme to continue to mitigate the severe social and economic effects of the Covid-19 virus. To be eligible for the payment a person must have lost their employment as a direct consequence of Covid-19 and no longer be in receipt of pay from their employer.

From the outset of Covid-19, many employers will have taken the initiative, in line with requests from the Government, to be as flexible as possible in giving staff time off and working patterns that enable them to look after their children who are not attending school or crèche, such as allowing employees to work from home, altering shifts or allowing employees to rearrange holidays or parental leave.

In view of the current circumstances where schools and childcare facilities are closed, where a person who cannot secure childcare is not able to work from home or avail of other flexible work options and they are not being paid by their employer, they are advised to apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

I trust this clarifies the position at this time.