Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
766. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the projected cost of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment in 2020; the projected cost for 2021 based on the current scheme arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22571/20]
View answer767. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the projection of the average number of expected recipients of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment for each month remaining in 2020; the projections for 2021 up to1 April, in tabular form; the basis for the financial modelling of the cost of the scheme for the rest of the year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22572/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 766 and 767 together.
As part of a suite of measures announced in the July Stimulus, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will now be extended to April 2021.
By week-ending Friday, 11th September 2020, the PUP scheme will have cost an estimated €3.44 billion.
The cost of PUP in the period between September and December 2020, and up to April 2021, will depend on the ongoing suppression of the Covid-19 virus and on progress in reopening the economy and society. The performance of the labour market in the weeks and months ahead, including the capacity of employers to respond to the phased return to work following the Covid-19 lockdown, and the level of any resulting residual unemployment, remains uncertain. These factors will determine the extent of labour market recovery between now and the year-end and into 2021. These are matters that will be considered during the coming weeks and the estimated cost of PUP to the year-end and the allocation for 2021 will be determined as part of that process.
