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Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Questions (1093, 1100, 1101)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

1093. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to review the exclusion of persons over 66 years of age from applying for the pandemic unemployment payment. [8739/20]

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Frank Feighan

Question:

1100. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) and persons in similar positions did not qualify for the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8888/20]

View answer

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

1101. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to provide support for those over 66 years of age who have been unable to access the pandemic unemployment payment but are still suffering from a loss of income due to a loss of employment or earnings. [8890/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1093, 1100 and 1101 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 consistent with other Social Protection income supports paid to working age persons

A person in receipt of the State Contributory Pension, which is based on PRSI contributions, can retain all of their State pension as well as their employment income and retain that pension payment if they lose employment income, thus guaranteeing an income support.  If a person is not in receipt of the maximum rate of State Pension Contributory, they may be eligible for an increased weekly rate of payment on the State non-contributory means tested pension depending on their circumstances.  A person may also be entitled to an increase in respect of a qualified adult, subject to the means of the qualified adult.

Persons in receipt of the 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 that employment income is reduced.  Similarly if a person aged over 66 who did not previously qualify or make an application for a means-tested pension may qualify for a pension payment if their circumstances change – including if they lose any employment income or if that employment income is reduced.  A person may be entitled to claim for an increase in respect of a qualified adult (up to age 66 years) depending on the specific circumstances.

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.

Employers may claim the temporary wage subsidy for all of their workers who pay Irish PAYE income tax from the Revenue Commissioners.  In this way workers who are aged over 66 can continue, with the co-operation of their employers, to receive income from employment.

Where a person, of any age, is experiencing financial hardship they can apply for financial support under the means tested supplementary welfare allowance scheme. 

I trust this clarifies the matter.

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