Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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197. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the delay in processing the claim for short-time working week for a person (details supplied); when the claim will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9031/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Short-Time Work Support (STWS) is a form of Jobseeker's Benefit (JB) and is an income support payment for people who have been temporarily placed on a shorter working week by their employer. This payment is made in respect of the days of work that have been lost. STWS must be systematic and show a clear repetitive pattern of employment. Employees must also work at least 1 day each week that they would normally have worked.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned was awarded STWS with effect from 02/09/2020 and his claim has been in payment since it's commencement date without interruption.

From 19/10/2020 the working pattern of the person concerned altered from the systematic pattern previously worked and continued to vary for a number of weeks up to 23/12/2020. The STWS claim was therefore re-categorised to a casual JB payment by a deciding officer. The person concerned subsequently requested clarification regarding his claim reclassification and a review of his claim was undertaken by an officer in Parnell Street Intreo Centre.

A letter issued on 15/02/2021 advising the person concerned of the outcome of his claim review. It was clarified that a claim categorised as STWS can be changed to casual/part-time if the conditions for STWS are no longer satisfied, i.e. if the working pattern changes.

I trust this clarifies the matter.