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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020

Tuesday, 9 June 2020

Questions (661, 663, 665, 670)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

661. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if supports will be put in place for seasonal workers (details supplied) that are out of work as a direct result of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10076/20]

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Brendan Griffin

Question:

663. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding payments for seasonal workers and old age pensioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10106/20]

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James Browne

Question:

665. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to extend the pandemic unemployment payment to persons over 66 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10121/20]

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Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

670. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the situation many students face due to the lack of income and employment available to them over the summer months which may otherwise have been available; if she is considering income supports for such students; and if she has had discussions with the Minister for Education and Skills in connection with this issue. [10181/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 661, 663, 665 and 670 together.

The COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment was introduced as an emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. The conditions for receipt of this payment are that a person must be of working age between 18 and up to 66 years old, have been in employment immediately before 13th March and have lost their income from employment.

The age range for entitlement to the pandemic unemployment payment is consistent with other Social Protection income supports paid to working age persons. The primary State income support paid by my Department in respect of people who are aged 66 years or over is the State Pension – either the Contributory State pension or the non-contributory (means-tested) pension.

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. 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.

Persons in receipt of the non-contributory 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.

If a person was in not in employment immediately prior to 13th March they are not eligible to receive the pandemic unemployment payment, which could include a seasonal worker who had not yet taken up employment. It would be impossible to construct a scheme based on claims of potential or prospective but unrealised employment, particularly where the economy was operating at full-employment with many unfilled vacancies prior to the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Any person, of any age, who are experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for other financial support under the supplementary welfare allowance.

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.

I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.

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