Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
770. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the other measures being considered to create disincentives to act in a manner which contravenes public health advice further to SI 242 of 2020; if consideration has been given to the potential of these statutory instruments targeting specific groups rather than society at large; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20530/20]
View answer872. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for her policy position in relation to SI 242 of 2020; her plans to implement the SI including detail on data sharing arrangements and the action of social welfare inspectors in airports; the documentation her Department is providing as proof to those affected by the statutory instrument; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20529/20]
View answer880. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons will be signed off jobseeker’s allowance if they go on holiday; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20717/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 770, 872 and 880 together.
I have reviewed the holiday arrangements in line with the most recent updated travel advice and have announced that people on a jobseeker’s payment who wish to travel to any of the countries on the Green List for up to two weeks can do so and continue to receive their payment.
Separately, I am taking primary legislation through the Oireachtas, the Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020, that places the pandemic unemployment payment on a statutory basis within the framework of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. This legislation will enable me to introduce new regulations to allow people on the pandemic unemployment payment to travel to green list countries for up to two weeks and continue to receive their payment.
For countries that are not on the green list, people can travel for essential reasons only, such as a bereavement or health reasons. Any person in this situation is advised to contact their Intreo Centre in advance and their payment will not be impacted.
My Department does not have data sharing arrangements with any airports or ports. It does not have access to travel data and nor does it have access to travel locator forms. Since 2012 the Department’s social welfare inspectors undertake control checks at airports and ports. These checks have a firm legal basis in Section 250 (16) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005.
I trust that this clarifies the matter at this time.
