Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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847. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports in place for persons who were in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and had their payments ceased as a result of reaching 66 years of age; if consideration has been given to allowing recipients of the State pension (contributory) to receive the pandemic unemployment payment in circumstances in which their employment continues to be affected as a result of public health guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30588/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a statutory scheme for those aged 18 to 66 years and the age conditions is aligned with that paid under the Jobseekers supports. There are no plans to amend this condition.

Once a person who is in receipt of PUP reaches 66 years of age their claim for the payment is closed as separate arrangements are in place for this group of customers. People aged 66 years and over are provided for within the Social Protection framework through the State Pension – either the contributory pension based on PRSI contributions, or the non-contributory means-tested pension.

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

The Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme under the Community Welfare Service is also available to any person of any age who is experiencing financial hardship. Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments may be made subject to satisfying the means test.

I trust that this clarifies the position.