I propose to take Questions Nos. 956, 957, 973, 979, 980, 984 and 1019 together.
The COVID-19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as a time limited emergency measure in response to the pandemic and Government has approved the extension of this payment until 10th August. Changes were also announced to the structure of this payment which means that it continues to be a strong support but is also fair and targeted.
The Government is aware that there are certain sectors which will be affected by business closures longer than others and the confirmation that this payment will be available until early August provides financial certainty to people affected. My colleague, the Minister for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has introduced a range of supports and guidance to assist businesses with their recovery from the severe financial impacts of the pandemic and the details are available on that Department's website at www.dbei.gov.ie.
The conditions for receipt of this emergency 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 due to the pandemic. Where a person does not meet the conditions for receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and they are unemployed for 4 days or more in a week they can apply for the social-insurance based jobseekers benefit or means tested jobseekers allowance. Any person who is experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for other financial support under the supplementary welfare allowance.
The Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018 which I introduced on the 4th March 2019 provides that zero hour contracts are prohibited except in situations of genuine casual employment and where they are essential to allow employers to provide cover in emergency situations or to cover short-term absence. This important legislation will improve the security and predictability of working hours for employees on insecure contracts.
I hope that this clarifies the position.