Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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438. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons that lost their job due to Covid-19 restrictions before 6 December 2021 can apply for the reopened pandemic unemployment payment; and if they can transition from other unemployment payments, for example, jobseeker’s allowance if they signed on before the pandemic unemployment payment reopened. [61447/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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With effect from Tuesday 7^thDecember the Government announced the introduction of a range of public health measures to further reduce the spread of Covid-19 and a limited re-opening of PUP specifically designed to support those workers who lose their employment as a direct result of the introduction of the new restrictions.

All workers, including the self-employed, who lose their employment on or after Tuesday 7 December because of the effects of the new public health restrictions are eligible to apply for PUP.

Customers who lost their employment prior to this date are eligible to apply for a jobseekers payment. Where they have sufficient PRSI social insurance contributions paid they may be eligible for Jobseeker's Benefit subject to satisfying the scheme conditions. Where they do not qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit, they may be eligible to apply for means tested Jobseeker's Allowance. The maximum weekly personal rate for a Jobseeker payment for a single person is €203; for a couple is €337.70 and for a couple with two children is €420.70.

I hope that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.