The emergency Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment was designed to support employees and self-employed people, aged between 18 and under 66, who were in employment or self-employment immediately prior to 13 March 2020 and have lost their employment due to the downturn in economic activity as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. In order to do this, the qualifying conditions were kept as simple as possible.
Information on the payment is available on www.gov.ie under the pandemic unemployment payment section with detailed guidance on how the scheme operates provided for employees and employers. This information is updated on a regular basis to reflect the current details of the payment as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact on employees and employers..
I hope that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.