Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Questions (577, 578, 579)

Duncan Smith

Question:

577. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a copy of the operational guidelines for the pandemic unemployment payment. [18105/20]

Duncan Smith

Question:

578. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a copy of the general scheme for the pandemic unemployment payment. [18106/20]

Duncan Smith

Question:

579. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a copy of the review and appeals process for the pandemic unemployment payment. [18107/20]

Written answers

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 577 to 579, inclusive, together.

The emergency Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment was designed to support employees and self-employed people, aged between 18 and under 66, who were in employment or self-employment immediately prior to 13 March 2020 and have lost their employment due to the downturn in economic activity as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. In order to do this, the qualifying conditions were kept as simple as possible.

Information on the payment is available on www.gov.ie under the pandemic unemployment payment section with detailed guidance on how the scheme operates provided for employees and employers.  This information is updated on a regular basis to reflect the current details of the payment as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact on  employees and employers.  I can assure the Deputy that the operational guidelines will be made available on www.gov.ie as soon as they are finalised.  

I hope that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.