Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
947. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a review of the pandemic unemployment payment will be carried out; if the review will consider persons that were working seasonal and part-time work and earning less than €350 per week while simultaneously refusing to pay persons under 18 and over 66 years of age that were working full-time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7477/20]
View answer958. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the provision that will be made for workers over 70 years of age that are unable to return to work and have not qualified for the pandemic unemployment payment; if the payment will be made available to these workers many of which are finding it difficult to manage on their pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7607/20]
View answer980. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to support seasonal workers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7809/20]
View answer990. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the length of time a person is able to receive jobseeker's benefit will be extended due to the Covid-19 pandemic; if consideration has been given to seasonal workers that are currently on jobseeker's benefit and ordinarily work during the summer tourism season but cannot due to the lack of employment opportunities; if such persons will be able to stay on jobseeker's benefit rather than being means-tested for jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7943/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 947, 958, 980 and 990 together.
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. This payment is payable to people of working age between 18 and up to 66 which is 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 means-tested non-contributory pension. People over 66 years do not pay social insurance contributions and can retain all of their State Contributory Pension if they lose employment, thus guaranteeing an income support. People in receipt of a reduced rate of non-contributory pension who are also in receipt of an employment income may have their State pension payment increased if they lose that employment income or if it is reduced. Recipients of State pension payments may, if they satisfy the 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 was extended by four weeks.
In relation to seasonal workers, it would be impossible to construct a scheme based on claims of potential or prospective but unrealised seasonal 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. People who are currently receiving a jobseeker’s payment, including seasonal workers, who have been out of work for some time will continue to remain on this payment for the period they are entitled to it. If their entitlement to jobseekers benefit exhausts they can apply for jobseekers allowance which is means tested.
Where a person, of any age, is experiencing financial hardship they can apply for financial support through the means tested supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
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. Phase 1, which saw the re-opening of a very limited range of sectors, commenced on 18 May 2020. As the situation continues to evolve, decisions around the future of the COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be taken having regard to a range of factors including how the public health situation evolves and the effects of the re-opening in Phase 1 which are being carefully monitored.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
