Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

397. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if paid social insurance contributions will be awarded to recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5027/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Act 2020, provides, amongst other measures, for the attribution of social insurance contributions, for a prescribed period, to insured persons who were beneficiaries of certain Covid-19 income support payments.  These payments include the pandemic unemployment payment. 

The attribution of contributions will ensure that persons entitled to and in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment will have social insurance contributions attributed to them at the same value as they were paying while employed immediately before going on the payment. 

The measure means that people who lost their jobs arising from the Covid-19 pandemic will not be disadvantaged in accessing social insurance benefits in the future.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

398. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on whether the pandemic unemployment payment is to be included in the means test assessment for carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5030/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The current position in relation to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is that it can be paid concurrently with certain social welfare payments, including Carer's Allowance.  The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is not assessed as means.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.