Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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373. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the immediate and dedicated income support which has been provided to former franchisees (details supplied) and subcontractors who are currently unable to apply for the insolvency payments scheme; and the process by which they can secure an urgent needs payment or other welfare support without compromising any future claims against the receiver. [67663/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My department’s priority is to support all workers affected and to ensure that they receive their statutory entitlements and appropriate income supports in a timely manner.

Direct employees of the company concerned were placed in a statutory consultation period, lasting 30 days. An employee remains in employment during the 30-day consultation period and continues to accrue an entitlement to their wages and holiday pay. Direct employees should not apply for Jobseeker’s payments during the consultation period as they remain employees until employment terminates

However if a person is self-employed as a franchise holder or sub-contractor, they may qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) if they satisfy PRSI contribution conditions. They can apply for Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (BASI) as an interim payment while their application is being processed, subject to normal eligibility criteria.

If a person who is a direct employee of a franchise Holder or of a self-employed contractor is impacted by the receivership e.g. now on temporary lay-off, they may apply for Jobseekers Pay Related Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance, depending on PRSI record and means. They can also apply for Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (BASI) as an interim payment while their application is being processed, subject to normal eligibility criteria.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to assist people with essential expenditure, which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income, and personal or household resources. SWA payments are administered by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in the Community Welfare Service (CWS) considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case. All ANP applications are considered on a case-by-case basis based on the need presenting. This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed.

If a person is experiencing financial difficulties, it is open to them to make an application for assistance by completing a SWA1 form. This form is available in all Intreo Centres and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at: www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. Alternatively, if you have a verified MyGovID account you can apply for an ANP at: www.MyWelfare.ie.

As always, my Department’s dedicated teams at Intreo and Employment Services are available to assist in any way possible.

My Department will continue to monitor the situation closely. In the meantime, if you have any further questions or know of someone who is in need of support, please don’t hesitate to contact the Department outlining the details of the person concerned for further review and advice.