Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020
449. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on their possible entitlement to the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16494/20]
View answerWhere a person’s gross weekly earnings were €200 or higher then there is no change to the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment. If a person’s gross weekly earnings were under €200 then the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment has been adjusted to €203 per week which is in line with the standard personal rate of jobseeker's benefit. Where no earnings data was available, either as an employee or a self-employed person, the rate of PUP was reduced to €203 per week.
Any person who feels that the assessment of their earnings, based on returns already submitted to Revenue, is inaccurate can ask for a review of their case. However, it is important to note that my Department will only accept earnings which have been notified to Revenue and subject to PRSI. Customers should clearly understand that any information which is supplied to declare additional earnings will be matched against Revenue records and any discrepancies will be followed up.
In the case of the person concerned, no earnings data was found in respect of their previous employment, and their rate of payment was reduced to €203 as a result. Their case is being re-examined in line with the approach outlined above, and a decision will issue to them in due course.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
