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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020

Tuesday, 14 July 2020

Questions (760)

John Lahart

Question:

760. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans and guidelines in place to help employers get their staff back to work; if there is an option to bring staff back on a two- or three-day week while they remain on the pandemic unemployment payment; if there are guidelines for businesses to assist them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15519/20]

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Written answers

With Phase 3 of Re-opening Ireland Roadmap underway, an increasing number of businesses are reopening. Last week, some 63,000 people closed their claim for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment of which 54,300 reported that they were returning to work. This is the highest number returning to work in a single week since the crisis began.

One of the conditions for receipt of the emergency payment is that the person must have lost their employment as a consequence of the pandemic and they are not being paid by their employer. Where a person is returning to work even on a reduced working week they must close their claim for the pandemic unemployment payment. Alternative supports may be available to them under the jobseeker's schemes depending on the individual circumstances. Further information on the supports available is provided at www.gov.ie.

The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme is available to employers whose business activities are being adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is open to employers who retain staff on payroll, some of the staff may be temporarily not working or some may be on reduced hours and/or reduced pay. Further information on this scheme is available at www.revenue.ie.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy at this time.

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