The Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) Scheme was put in place to ensure that those people who lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic would receive an income support as quickly as possible. It is individuals who claim PUP, not employers, and it is open to those employed as an employee or on a self-employed basis.
The introduction of the PUP scheme was quickly followed by the establishment of the Covid-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS), which is administered by the Revenue Commissioners. Application for payment under the TWSS is made by the employer and is paid to the employer.
While suspected abuse of the TWSS is a matter for Revenue, my Department is responsible for ensuring that PUP claimants meet the eligibility conditions. Where any individual claimant is found not to have been entitled to a PUP payment, the Department will use all of its powers to recover any outstanding monies due.
Additionally, it is expected that over the coming weeks and months the Department’s engagements with employers in relation to the operation of the PRSI system will be in a position to increase as restrictions are eased. This includes the investigation of employment status issues, in particular the misclassification of employees as self-employed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
