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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020

Tuesday, 21 July 2020

Questions (478)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

478. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there is a difference in the rate of pandemic payments for self-employment persons under 66 years of age and for those over 66 years of age; if so, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17160/20]

View answer

Written answers

People aged 66 years and over are provided for within the Social Protection income support framework through the State Pension, either the contributory State pension based on PRSI contributions or the non-contributory means tested pension. The maximum weekly rate of payment for a person in receipt of the State Contributory pension in a two person household with an adult dependent who is over 66 years is €470.80. The maximum rate of payment for the non-contributory pension for a two person household is €393.60.

People aged 66 and over may also be entitled to a range of ancillary supports that are aligned to the particular circumstances of older people. These include free travel, fuel allowance, household benefits package (gas/electricity) and living alone allowance.

The pandemic unemployment payment is payable to people aged 18 to 66 years which is consistent with other income supports payable to the working age. A two-level payment structure to link the pandemic unemployment payment to gross prior earnings or income has been introduced. Where a recipient's gross weekly earnings were €200 or higher their weekly rate of payment remains at €350, which is aligned to the jobseekers payment for a two person household. If their gross weekly earnings were under €200 the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment was adjusted to €203, which is aligned to the maximum personal rate of jobseekers.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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