Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020
440. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to reports that an airline (details supplied) is refusing to sign social welfare forms for workers in order that workers on reduced hours or the temporary wage subsidy scheme can apply to her Department for welfare supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17141/20]
View answerMy Department is aware of the current situation in the airline referred to where workers are being placed on reduced hours and are in receipt of the temporary wage subsidy scheme.
To qualify for a jobseeker’s payment a person must satisfy all of the qualifying conditions for the scheme. Jobseeker’s payments operate on the basis of days of unemployment. A person in receipt of the temporary wage subsidy scheme is considered to be in employment on the days for which it is paid by their employer. Accordingly, jobseeker’s is not payable for any days for which a person is in receipt of the temporary wage subsidy scheme, but may be paid for any days of unemployment where the wage subsidy scheme is not paid.
My Department does not comment on individual cases but I can confirm that officials are engaging with the company referred to by the Deputy to resolve the matter.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
