Written answers

Wednesday, 20 January 2021

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Photo of Noel GrealishNoel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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332. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons can claim the pandemic unemployment payment or a portion of the payment; if not, if another payment can be introduced for working parents who are classified as essential workers but cannot work from home and must leave work or reduce their hours of work in order to provide essential childcare while schools are closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2198/21]

Photo of Seán CanneySeán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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341. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to introduce a Covid-19 support payment for essential workers who have to take time off work due to childcare issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2429/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 341 together.

To be eligible for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment a person must have lost their employment as a direct consequence of Covid-19 and must not 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.

Under the current circumstances, where schools and childcare facilities are closed, a person who cannot obtain childcare and is unable to work from home or avail of appropriate flexible work options may apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, where they are not being paid by their employer. I have confirmed that this arrangement will continue to remain in place during this latest set of Level 5 restrictions.

An employee who is working reduced hours is not eligible to receive the Pandemic Unemployment Payment as they are still being paid by their employer.

The means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is available to any person who may be experiencing financial hardship. Supports available under the scheme include Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments. Further details are available on www.gov.ie

I trust that this clarifies the position.

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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333. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a worker who accepts a voluntary redundancy from his or her employer as a result of the downturn due to the Covid crisis is entitled to claim the pandemic unemployment payment. [2202/21]

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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334. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a worker who is made redundant by his or her employer as a result of the Covid-19 crisis is entitled to claim the pandemic unemployment payment or if he or she must claim jobseeker's benefit or jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2203/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 333 and 334 together.

To date approximately €5.3 Billion has been paid on the Pandemic Unemployment payment (PUP) which continues to mitigate the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our economy and society. The scheme will remain open to new applications until 31st March.

To be eligible for PUP a person must have become unemployed due to the downturn in economic activity caused by the pandemic and satisfy the other statutory scheme conditions. A person who is made redundant due to the effects of Covid-19 on their employment is entitled to claim PUP in the same manner as a person who is temporarily laid off.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Photo of Gino KennyGino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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335. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to change the age criterion for jobseeker's and pandemic unemployment payments that are only payable to persons between 18 and 66 years of age. [2241/21]

Photo of Gino KennyGino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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336. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the jobseeker's age criterion of 18 to 66 years of age unfairly discriminates against persons under 18 years of age and persons over 66 years of age who were working and paying tax and PRSI during the Covid-19 pandemic. [2242/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 336 together.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a statutory support which is available to support persons of working age from 18 years up to pensionable age, 66 years, who have lost their employment due to the pandemic and where they are not being paid by their employer. The age range provided for is consistent with other social protection schemes payable to people of working age.

People aged 66 years and over are provided for through the social insurance based State pension (contributory) or the means-tested State pension (non-contributory). A person aged over 66 who is in employment may retain their State pension (contributory) and employment income.

If a person does not have the required number of contributions to receive the maximum rate of State pension (contributory) they may qualify for an increased rate of State pension (non-contributory), depending on their circumstances. People who receive the non-contributory State pension who also have employment income may have their pension payment increased if they lose their employment income due to the pandemic or if their employment income is reduced.

People aged 66 and over may also be entitled to a range of ancillary supports which include free travel, fuel allowance, household benefits package for gas or electricity costs and living alone allowance.

A person under 18 years of age who has lost their employment and is living in the family home is treated as a dependent in relation to a social welfare payment payable to a parent.

A person of any age who is experiencing financial hardship may access assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme including Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments.

It is also important to note that an employer who is availing of the Employer Wage Subsidy Scheme can claim the subsidy in respect of all PAYE workers on their payroll.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

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