Wednesday, 20 May 2020

Company Closures

Questions (1176, 1214)

Micheál Martin

Question:

1176. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she met with the staff of a company (details supplied) to discuss the recent announcement regarding the closing of its outlets; if the staff have an entitlement to redundancy from their former employer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5797/20]

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Micheál Martin

Question:

1214. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has engaged with representatives of the employees of a company (details supplied) to ensure that the company is complying with all legal requirements in the treatment of its employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5879/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1176 and 1214 together.

Firstly, I would like to say that my thoughts are with all workers faced with the prospect of closure and job losses at this difficult time. With the exception of grocery outlets, the retail sector has been particularly affected by the measures we have had to take in response to the spread of Covid-19. Having come through a number of turbulent years and an examinership process, it must be difficult for Debenhams workers to now face redundancy. I applaud their efforts to ensure that they get the best outcome possible from the situation. I wish to assure the affected workers that my Department is available through its Intreo service to assist them in whatever way we can in terms of income supports and job-seeking over the coming weeks and months.

I want to assure everybody that my Department is assisting the affected workers through its Intreo service to help them in whatever way we can in terms of income supports and job-seeking over the coming weeks and months. Indeed over the past number of weeks officials from my Department have engaged with both officials from Mandate and with the Human Resource management team in Debenhams to ensure that all workers have received their due entitlements from my Department.

My officials are also available to assist these workers in the job search efforts over the period ahead and with advice on further education and training options that will help them to find work within their sector or in other sectors where work opportunities will become available as the economy improves over the period ahead.

Furthermore, the redundancy and insolvency section of my Department has already engaged with the liquidators appointed to Debenhams and is continuing to work with them to ensure that all claims in respect of employees are dealt with expeditiously.

Since the announcement of the liquidation of Debenhams there have been calls on the Government to intervene in or halt the liquidation of the company and to ensure that employees of Debenhams receive enhanced redundancy payments. Employee representatives have also called for the 30 day mandatory consultation period to be extended.

The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation has been clear that she, as the Minister responsible for company law legislation, has no statutory power to intervene in a court supervised liquidation. A company is permitted to initiate a voluntary winding up where it has complied with requirements of the Companies Act 2014.

I have been asked by the Mandate Trade Union to utilise my powers in accordance with Section 15 of the Protection of Employment Act 1977. In this regard, I sought urgent legal advice from the Attorney General in relation to those powers as they pertain to a court appointed liquidator. I received those advices yesterday and they are unequivocal.

I am advised that I, as Minister, cannot exercise the powers in section 15 because those powers envisage engagement only with the employer. As is clear from the statutory definition, a liquidator is not an employer for the purposes of this Act. Therefore, there is no possibility of using the section 15 mechanism as suggested.

While we don’t have the power to ensure that Debenhams pay an enhanced redundancy package to its employees, an employer is obliged to pay the statutory redundancy entitlement as provided for in the Redundancy Payments Act 1967 and that is all that can be legally enforced against an employer.

As the company has been declared insolvent, the Department can provide a safety net for employees and the liquidator can submit claims for statutory redundancy and other wage related entitlements for payment from the Social Insurance Fund. We will ensure that the statutory redundancy entitlement which is laid out in legislation will be paid.

Wage Subsidy Scheme

Questions (1177, 1229)

Matt Carthy

Question:

1177. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if those childcare workers who are in receipt of one-parent family payment or working family payment, and who have also been receiving the wage subsidy scheme, will not be required to return the amount received during the Covid-19 closures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6033/20]

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Matt Carthy

Question:

1229. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if those childcare workers who are in receipt of one-parent family payment or working family payment, and who have also been receiving the wage subsidy scheme, will not be required to return amounts received during the Covid-19 closures. [6041/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1177 and 1229 together.

The Revenue Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) is one of a number of measures to provide financial support to workers affected by the Covid-19 crisis. The scheme is operated by the Revenue Commissioners and enables eligible employees, whose employers’ business activities have experienced significant negative disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to receive supports directly from their employer. It also ensures that employers retain employees during the pandemic in order to facilitate the business’ operations in getting back to normal once the crisis eases. The subsidy scheme is implemented by employers through their payroll system, with employees receiving the subsidy payment along with any other payments made by the employer. It is a condition of this scheme that individuals cannot receive my Department’s Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment at the same time as receiving payments under the Revenue TWSS or DCYA TWSCS.

The One Parent Family Parent, a means tested payment and Working Family Payment an income assessed payment take account of any earnings received by claimants. This includes any amounts received by way of Revenue TWSS payments.

Childcare workers who are in receipt of the one parent family payment or the working family payment will continue to receive these payments during their temporary lay-off as a result of the Covid-19 related closures provided they continue to meet the eligibility conditions for these schemes.

It is open to any customer who considers that their circumstances have changed to request a review of their claim. If this results in an increased rate of payment, this increase will be backdated accordingly. A reduction in a rate of payment is normally only applied from a current date, unless there is evidence that a customer knowingly misled the Department or failed to report a change in their circumstances.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Wage Subsidy Scheme

Questions (1178, 1243)

Bríd Smith

Question:

1178. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of workers who have been placed on the wage subsidy scheme but also informed or have had to apply for supplementary welfare payments due to the fact that their earnings on the scheme are too low. [6155/20]

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Bríd Smith

Question:

1243. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who have applied for SWA since March 2020; and the number of those that are on the wage subsidy scheme. [6157/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1178 and 1243 together.

The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants.

Basic weekly SWA may be paid to customers awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment. In certain circumstances if a person is not eligible for other social welfare payments and their weekly income is below the SWA rate for their family size, a payment may be made to bring their income up to the appropriate SWA rate.

There are currently 15,100 customers in receipt of basic supplementary welfare allowance, this represents a decrease of 940 (6%) since the end of February 2020. Of these 15,100 cases, 3,400 have been registered since 1st March 2020.

The Temporary Work Subsidy Scheme is administered by Revenue. I am advised that data is not available on the number of persons on that scheme who have applied for SWA.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Domestic Violence

View answer

Cathal Crowe

Question:

1251. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the decision not to facilitate access to emergency rent supplement will be reconsidered which would enable women and children in need of immediate relocation due to domestic violence to secure safe housing for a period of three months or for the duration of Covid-19 national emergency. [6313/20]

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Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

1277. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will reconsider her decision not to facilitate access to emergency rent supplement which would enable women and children in need of immediate relocation as a result of domestic violence to secure safe housing for a period of three months or for the duration of the Covid-19 emergency. [6678/20]

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Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

1279. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will reconsider her decision not to facilitate access to emergency rent supplement which would enable men, women and children in need of immediate relocation due to domestic violence to secure safe housing for a period of three months or for the duration of the Covid-19 national emergency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6727/20]

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Brendan Smith

Question:

1281. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will reconsider her decision not to facilitate access to emergency rent supplement which would enable women and children in need of immediate relocation due to domestic violence to secure safe housing for a period of three months or the duration of the Covid-19 national emergency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6735/20]

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Martin Browne

Question:

1283. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will reconsider her decision not to facilitate access to the emergency rent supplement which would enable women and children in need of immediate relocation due to domestic violence to secure safe housing for a period of three months or the duration of the Covid-19 national emergency. [6827/20]

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Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

1286. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will reconsider her decision not to provide a Covid-19 domestic violence emergency rent supplement payment to enable women and children in need of immediate relocation due to domestic violence to secure safe housing for a period of three months or the duration of the Covid-19 national emergency. [6861/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1179, 1180, 1183 to 1186, inclusive, 1188 to 1191, inclusive, 1251, 1277, 1279, 1281, 1283 and 1286 together.

Responsibility for the development and provision of services to support victims of domestic violence rests with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

The co-ordination of the services addressing the needs of these customers is managed by The Child and Family Agency, Tusla. Victims of domestic violence accommodation needs are met through this joined-up service delivery model provided by Tusla with the close involvement of the various housing authorities nationwide.

A housing authority can provide, on a humanitarian basis, short-term emergency housing to persons who are unable to return to their homes because of domestic violence without having to assess their eligibility for social housing support or include them on the authority’s waiting list for housing supports.

Generally, where a victim is not seeking to return to the family home, a social housing assessment by the housing authority is the appropriate response. Assessments should be conducted in a timely manner to ensure that victims do not end up residing in emergency accommodation, including refuge facilities, for long periods of time. Once a customer has successfully completed a housing needs assessment, they can then apply for HAP.

As part of this response, Tusla funds and supports over 40 organisations providing support services to victims of domestic violence, including 20 refuges providing safe specialist emergency domestic violence accommodation. Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Services, and in particular, Domestic Violence refuges have been identified as one of Tusla’s three highest priority services in its crisis management responses to the period of Covid-19 public health measures. A range of supports have been put in place to assure continuity of essential services and there is ongoing systematic engagement between Tusla and service provider organisations around emerging needs.

Since the introduction of HAP, Rent Supplement continues to revert to original role of providing short-term support to those who have become temporarily unemployed and require income support to meet their tenancy cost whilst they seek alternative employment. Rent supplement, by virtue of its short-term nature and its targeted customer cohort, is not considered the principal solution in meeting the accommodation needs of those fleeing domestic or sexual violence, in particular where, following a Housing Needs Assessment, HAP is an available option.

There are no indications within my department that the rent supplement scheme is operating in a way that is preventing victims of domestic violence from getting the support they need, and Community Welfare Officers are using the full flexibility of the scheme to assist those in need during the current crisis.

Notwithstanding the above, my department does provide support to customers of domestic violence. Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme (SWA), Exceptional Needs Payments (ENP) / Urgent Needs Payments (UNP) are available to meet essential once-off cost for customers who are unable to meet these out of their own resources. Where a person’s safety and well-being are at risk due to domestic violence, department officials operating SWA have discretionary powers to provide ENPs / UNPs to address the person’s immediate needs. It is expected that whilst the Department is providing support, the person concerned can transition safely to the relevant agencies and supports that provide the tailored support that they require.

Officials in my Department continue to liaise with their colleagues in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs / Tusla, the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government to ensure that victims of domestic violence have appropriate supports including access to local authority sponsored housing via HAP.

Should the Deputy have a particular case in mind I would ask him/her to share the details with me and I will have it assessed without delay.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (1181, 1232)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

1181. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when persons whose pandemic unemployment payment claims were not paid will receive their backdated arrears; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6553/20]

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Noel Grealish

Question:

1232. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to backdate the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment for persons who were unemployed as a result of the pandemic but did not receive their payment for a number of weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6061/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1181 and 1232 together.

The emergency Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been introduced as a time-limited emergency measure so that payments can be made as quickly as possible to the large number of people who have become fully unemployed due to the pandemic.

During the month of March, my Department received and processed jobseeker claims equivalent in number to a three year claim-load. These applications were processed as quickly as possible, with almost 59,000 people paid in the first week of the scheme, 283,000 people paid in the following week, and over 507,000 people in the third week of the scheme. To date, approximately 4.33 million payments have issued to just over 670,000 individuals at a cost of over €1.5 Billion.

Currently, the Department is focused on processing and managing payments to ensure that they continue to be made to all who qualify for them. The work involved in doing this is complex, with people joining and leaving the scheme each week, along with management of overlaps between the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and the Revenue Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme.

The Department is aware that many people are due some arrears and that each person’s case is unique. This means that each person’s application may need to be individually reviewed.

I can assure the Deputy that all cases will be examined and where arrears arise they will be processed and claimants will be notified.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1182, 1245 and 1278 together.

The COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment was introduced in March 2020 as an emergency time-limited measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. This emergency payment was introduced to support persons aged between 18 and up to 66 years old who have lost their employment due to the downturn in economic activity caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and where they are not being paid by their employer. In order to qualify for the payment a person must have been in employment on or after the 6th March. The conditions around the payment to self-employed people are that they must have experienced a collapse of income and be available to take up other full-time work if it was available to them in order to qualify.

People who do not meet these conditions may be eligible for support under the social insurance based jobseekers benefit schemes or the means tested jobseekers allowance scheme depending on their individual circumstances. People who are already in receipt of a jobseekers payment, which may include substitute teachers and exam invigilators, who were not employed on 6 March will continue to remain on this payment for as long as they are entitled to it.

Where a person is experiencing financial hardship they can apply for financial support Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.

I trust that this clarifies the matter.

Questions Nos. 1183 to 1186, inclusive, answered with Question No. 1179.

Legislative Measures

Questions (1187)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1187. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a new Bill must be passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas to facilitate the continued payment of social welfare payments at their current rates of payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6804/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Given the need to pay the Covid Pandemic Unemployment Payment as expeditiously as possible, Section 202 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 was used. This section allows for the provision of payments in urgent cases by way of Supplementary Welfare Allowance. The Covid-19 pandemic and resultant immediate economic impact is unprecedented and created an urgent requirement for the provision of income supports to over 600,000 people in a period of a little over a month.

There are a number of matters that may require placing the payment on a separate legislative footing including, for example, granting social insurance contributions to people who were temporarily laid off and are either in receipt of PUP or are being paid via the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme. These matters are currently being considered and legislative proposals will be brought to Government for approval.

The Government, by order, recently extended, until the 19th June, the provisions in the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 to pay an enhanced rate of Illness Benefit to people diagnosed with Covid-19 or who are probable sources of infection from the virus.

Questions Nos. 1188 to 1191, inclusive, answered with Question No. 1179.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (1192, 1221, 1222, 1223, 1224)

Gary Gannon

Question:

1192. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the Covid-19 payment will be prolonged beyond the current timeframe for artists and freelance technicians involved in the artistic industry (details supplied). [7003/20]

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Willie O'Dea

Question:

1221. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there will be a change to the eligibility criteria to qualify for the pandemic unemployment payment in June 2020 in view of the announcement that the payment will be extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5939/20]

View answer

Willie O'Dea

Question:

1222. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the extension to the pandemic unemployment payment will follow the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; if persons will no longer be eligible for the payment once their industry or place of employment is allowed to reopen as envisaged in the roadmap; if allowances will be made for persons who cannot return to work for medical or childcare reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5940/20]

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Willie O'Dea

Question:

1223. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if students who were working part-time or on an ad hoc basis will continue to receive the pandemic unemployment payment once it is extended in June; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5941/20]

View answer

Willie O'Dea

Question:

1224. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the length of time for which the pandemic unemployment payment will extended; the estimated expenditure on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5942/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1192, 1221, 1222, 1223 and 1224 together.

This week, my Department issued COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment payments valued at over €200 million to 585,000 people. Projected expenditure for up to 12 weeks payment is in excess of €2.2 billion.

The Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, published by the Government on 1 May 2020 sets out a timetable for the phased reopening of society and the economy and envisages a series of steps which will lead to the resumption of various sectors of the economy. As this situation continues to evolve, decisions around the future of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be taken by Government having regard to a range of factors including how the public health situation evolves and the effects of the re-opening of Phase 1 which are being carefully monitored.

I trust this clarifies the position at this time.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (1193)

Carol Nolan

Question:

1193. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department has engaged the use of external consultants from 1 January 2020 to date; the details and costs of such engagements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5529/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The procurement of consultancy services supports my Department in providing analysis that contributes to policy development.

Details of the consultancy service providers engaged by my Department since the start of this year are set out in the following table:

Name of Consultant	Details of Consultancy	Expenditure
Ruth Fitzgerald	Legal Advice to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection	€1,820
KPMG	Actuarial Services	€4,920
Crowleys DFK	1. Review of accounting processes for Appropriation and Social Insurance Fund Accounts2. Review of Management Accounting processes	€12,730
Sonas Innovation	Data Administration	€94,648
Demarq	IT Administration	€4,920
Institute for Employment Studies and Social Finance	Procurement Consultancy Services in relation to Contracted Public Employment Services	€123,318 (includes expenditure in 2019)
Consult Hyperion	Data Privacy Impact Assessment	€44,433
Behaviour and Attitudes	Jobseeker and JobPath Customer Satisfaction Survey	€50,627
ESRI	Measurement and Analysis of Household Income and Living Conditions Research Programme	€35,276
Total expenditure to date in 2020		€ 372,692

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1194, 1210, 1211 and 1248 together.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment was introduced as a time-limited, emergency income support measure to meet the dramatic surge in unemployment as a consequence of the pandemic. This emergency payment supports people of working age from 18 and up to 66 years old who became unemployed on or after the 6th March as a result of the pandemic and are not being paid by their employer. This age range is consistent with other Social Protection income supports paid to working age persons. The primary State income support in respect of people who are aged 66 years or over is the State Pension – either the contributory State pension or the non-contributory pension, which is means tested.

A person in receipt of Contributory State Pension can retain all of their pension as well as their employment income and retain that pension if they lose employment, thus guaranteeing an income support. People in receipt of a reduced rate of non-contributory or means tested pension who are also in receipt of an employment income may have their pension payment increased if they lose that employment income or if it is reduced.

The weekly rate of the Covid-19 payment is €350 and is aligned with the jobseeker payment for a person with an adult dependant. The rate of payment for a State Contributory pensioner in a two person household with an adult dependant who is over 66 years is €470.80, significantly higher than the temporary Covid-19 payment. The maximum rate of payment for the non-contributory pension for a two person household is €393.60.

Recipients of State pension payments may, subject to satisfying eligibility conditions, have access to a range of supports not available to unemployed people aged under 66. These include living alone increase, household benefits, telephone support allowance, free travel and free TV licence. Additionally, as part of the Department’s response to the COVID-19 emergency, the Fuel Allowance season has been extended by four weeks.

It should also be noted that there is no requirement for people aged over 66 to pay PRSI. PRSI contributions are payable by employees and self-employed persons between the ages of 16 years and pensionable age which is 66 years.

It is important to note that where a person, of any age, is experiencing financial hardship they can apply for financial support Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme.

I trust this clarifies my position.

Invalidity Pension Applications

Questions (1195)

James Lawless

Question:

1195. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the refusal of an invalidity allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5578/20]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Finian McGrath)

I am advised that my Department has not received an application for Invalidity Pension from the person concerned.

However, the Department has received an application for Illness Benefit. I am advised that the person concerned does not qualify for Illness Benefit as he does not satisfy the PRSI contributions conditions.

One of the qualifying conditions for Illness Benefit is that a person must have 39 weeks of PRSI contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax year, of which 13 must be paid contributions at class A, E or H. Alternatively, a person may have 26 weeks of PRSI contributions paid in the relevant tax year, and 26 weeks of PRSI contributions paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year with all such contributions at class A, E or H.

The person concerned was self employed and paying class S contributions in the relevant tax years, which is not a qualifying class of contribution for Illness Benefit. Therefore, he does not satisfy the contribution conditions for Illness Benefit.

A letter issued to the person concerned on the 7th May 2020 giving him the full details of this decision.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Questions (1196)

Seán Fleming

Question:

1196. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a scenario (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5585/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Entitlement to disability allowance is based on satisfying medical, means and residency conditions.

In order to qualify for the scheme on medical grounds a person must be suffering from an injury, disease, congenital deformity or physical or mental illness or defect which has continued or may reasonably be expected to continue for a period of at least a year and as a result of the condition the person is substantially restricted in undertaking work which would otherwise be suitable having regard to the person’s age, experience and qualifications. The disability allowance scheme is structured to encourage recipients to avail of opportunities to engage in work where this is appropriate, either in self-employment or in insurable employment. Each application for disability allowance is assessed on its own merits.

Where a disability allowance claim is disallowed on the basis that a person is not medically incapable of work and that decision is subsequently appealed, jobseekers allowance is not payable during the time that the disallowance is under appeal. In order to qualify for a jobseeker's payment a person must satisfy the conditions for the scheme which include being capable of work, available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work.

Persons in this position who are awaiting the outcome of their appeals and whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and the needs of their adult or child dependant(s) should apply for basic supplementary welfare allowance.

I trust this clarifies the mater of the Deputy.

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (1197)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

1197. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will backdate the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment for staff (details supplied) who were due to be paid through the temporary wage subsidy scheme at the end of April 2020 but were not in view of the fact the liquidators will not release the funds for wages. [5630/20]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Revenue Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) is one of a number of measures to provide financial support to workers affected by the Covid-19 crisis. The scheme is operated by the Revenue Commissioners and enables eligible employees, whose employers’ business activities have experienced significant negative disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to receive supports directly from their employer. It also ensures that employers retain employees during the pandemic in order to facilitate the business’ operations in getting back to normal once the crisis eases. The subsidy scheme is implemented by employers through their payroll system, with employees receiving the subsidy payment along with any other payments made by the employer. The employer, however, is not entitled to the money in their own right and it cannot be used for any other purpose other than in accordance with the conditions of the scheme.

It is a condition of the scheme that individuals cannot receive my Department’s Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment at the same time as receiving payments under the Revenue TWSS. However, it cannot be the case that employees are prevented from accessing financial support at this critical time by the actions or inactions of their employer. Accordingly, the individuals covered by the Deputy’s question should apply for my Department’s Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment if they have not already done so. Where arrears arise these will be processed in due course and individuals will be notified of the outcome. In line with all other cases where arrears entitlements may exist, my Department is committed to reviewing cases as quickly as possible.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Student Support Schemes

Questions (1198, 1255, 1300)

Martin Kenny

Question:

1198. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to put some supports in place in the summer months for students who under normal circumstances would take up employment or travel abroad for employment, mainly in the hospitality sector, but for whom, due to Covid-19, this will not be possible, in view of the fact this income is vital to pay for college for the next year. [5632/20]

View answer

Norma Foley

Question:

1255. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the point at which students from the class of 2020 will be eligible to apply for a jobseeker's allowance or payment should they wish to do so in view of the fact it is normally three months after exams but this is not an option due to Covid-19 and the cancellation of exams. [6387/20]

View answer

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

1300. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the number of Irish students completing masters and other post-third level education abroad who have returned home due to Covid-19 and find themselves without access to Covid-19 pandemic payments due to having been abroad prior to the 13 March cut-off or access to unemployment benefit due to their student status; if her attention has been further drawn to the financial duress they are experiencing as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6985/20]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1198, 1255 and 1300 together.

The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant, payable by the Department of Education and Skills, represents the primary support for persons pursuing third level education. The matter of supports for students for the forthcoming academic year should be referred to the Minister for Education and Skills.

Under Social Welfare legislation students are disqualified from receiving jobseekers allowance while attending a course of study, including school or college holiday periods and for the 3 month period after completing the Leaving Certificate or leaving second level education. Following the cancellation of this year's Leaving Certificate Examination, these students will be eligible to apply for jobseekers Allowance from 30 August 2020, which is 3 months after their the end of term on 29th May.

The COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment was introduced in March 2020 as a time-limited emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. In order to be eligible for this payment a person must have been in employment or self-employment on or after 6th March 2020 and have become unemployed due to the downturn in economic activity caused by the COVID 19 pandemic. For this reason seasonal workers, including students, who had not taken up employment before 13 March 2020 are not eligible for the payment. It is not possible to construct a scheme based on claims of potential or prospective but unrealised employment, particularly in an environment where the economy was operating at full-employment with many unfilled vacancies prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Where a person is experiencing financial hardship they can apply for assistance through the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance. Information on the supports available under this scheme is available at www.gov.ie.

I trust that this clarifies the matter.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1199)

Pa Daly

Question:

1199. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department will change the Covid-19 contact number to a freephone 1800 number (details supplied). [5640/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Income Support Helpline referred to by the Deputy was established in March 2020 to provide customer information and support in relation to a range of income supports for people affected by the income impacts or health impacts of COVID-19. This includes the new Pandemic Unemployment Payment, Enhanced Illness Benefit for Covid19, other relevant income supports and advice including referrals to the Department's Community Welfare Services.

The relevant phone number for this service is a 1890 number - 1890 800 024. Since November 2019, as a result of changes introduced by COMREG, calls to any 1890 numbers now cost no more than calls to a landline number. Furthermore, all existing 1850, 1890 and 076 numbers will migrate to a single non geographic "0818" number in January 2022.

Calls to 1890 numbers are now included in mobile call bundles where customers have packages or subscriptions which include landline calls.

Customers can also contact their local Intreo centre with any income support or payment queries that they may have and the Department provides a detailed list of contact numbers for each scheme area and Intreo centre on our Department pages on Gov.ie.

Each Intreo centre also has contact email addresses that customers can use as an alternative way to contact the Department. Customers can make general information enquiries by contacting info@welfare.ie.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (1200)

Jack Chambers

Question:

1200. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a reply will issue to the feedback by a person (details supplied) regarding those who have seriously reduced incomes as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic but who are ineligible for support and the difficulties encountered trying to contact her Department [5647/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

The Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment was introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic emergency. As stipulated in the scheme guidelines both employees and self-employed people can apply for the payment if they satisfy a number of qualifying conditions as set out below.

In order to qualify for the payment, the applicant must:

- be aged between 18 and 66 years old and

- be currently living in the Republic of Ireland and

- have lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic or

- have been temporarily laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic and

- have worked in the Republic of Ireland or were a cross border frontier worker and

- not be in receipt of any employment income.

The payment also applies if the applicant is self-employed and their trading income has ceased due to COVID-19.

In the case of the person concerned, her circumstances as she outlined them, are that she ceased her self-employment as a physiotherapist due to the Covid-19 crisis but has continued her insurable employment with her employer.

I am advised that as the person concerned is partially employed and deriving an income from her employer, she does not meet the criteria for receipt of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). However, it should be noted that under the SWA scheme, a single payment may be made to help meet essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. Should the person concerned consider that she may have an entitlement to a payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme she should contact my Department’s Community Welfare Service at her local Intreo centre.

In relation to the person’s difficulty making contact with the Department, the Department is operating the Income Support Helpline to assist our customers with information and advice about income supports available for people impacted by Covid-19.

The Covid-19 Income Support Helpline is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm and it can be contacted at 1890 800 024.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.