Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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86. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will ensure that employees about to finish their Covid-19 related payment have ready access to an alternative payment or a job offer within reasonable distance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48449/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced in March 2020 to support employees and the self-employed who lost employment due to Covid-19. Expenditure on the scheme is over €8.7 billion to date.

In line with the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan, the PUP is gradually changing using a tapered approach over a 6 month period from September 2021 until February 2022. As PUP customers move to the €203 rate, they will be transitioned to standard jobseeker terms.

The process of moving from the lower €203 rate of PUP to a jobseeker’s payment was due to begin in early September. I have deferred this process until after all sectors have started to re-open in line with "Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting". This means that affected customers will continue to receive their PUP payment until 26th October when the process of their transition to a jobseeker’s payment will begin.

The Department has written to all affected customers to outline the details of the transition and the options that will be available to them. Customers entitled to Jobseeker's Benefit will be automatically transferred to this payment after 26th October. Where an application for Jobseeker's Allowance is submitted, the person will remain on PUP until their entitlement to Jobseeker's Allowance is determined.

As customers transition to Jobseekers terms, they will enter the employment activation and engagement process through the Public Employment Service. Time spent on PUP will count towards eligibility for various employment supports, activation measures, training, work placement programmes and employment schemes.

I trust this clarifies the position.