James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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494. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined in relation to the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6636/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a statutory scheme payable to people aged between 18 and 66 years of age who have lost their employment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is consistent with other social protection schemes payable to people of working age who have lost their employment.

People aged 66 years and over are eligible to apply for State pension (contributory) or the means-tested State pension (non-contributory). A person in receipt of State pension (contributory) can retain this pension and their employment income.

People aged 66 and over may also be entitled to a range of ancillary supports which include the fuel allowance, living alone allowance, telephone support allowance, free travel and household benefits package which comprises the free TV licence and electricity or gas allowance.

According to the records of my Department the person concerned is currently in receipt of a State Pension (Contributory) of €57.60 per week and has Free Travel with effect from his 66th Birthday

It is open to the person concerned to contact the Community Welfare Service in the Maynooth to seek assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme if he is experiencing financial difficulties. This service is available by phone at (01) 6106143 or by email at cwsmaynoothleixlip@welfare.ie.

I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.