Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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407. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding seasonal employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22601/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a statutory scheme provided for employees and the self- employed who were in employment on or after 13th March 2020 and who lost employment as a direct consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. The scheme does not provide support for the loss of potential or prospective but unrealised employment.

To qualify for the payment an employee must have paid at least one social insurance contribution in the 4 weeks immediately before their claim and satisfy the other statutory conditions. There are no plans to change the contribution requirements of the scheme.

A seasonal worker who does not satisfy the qualifying conditions for PUP may be eligible for support under the Jobseekers schemes. Where a person’s entitlement to Jobseeker's Benefit is exhausted or where they do not satisfy the scheme’s qualifying conditions, they may be eligible for the means tested Jobseeker's Allowance scheme.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.