Social Welfare Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020

Tuesday, 15 September 2020

Questions (475, 493, 498, 508, 510, 511, 523)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

475. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if a reply will issue to correspondence from a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24132/20]

Duncan Smith

Question:

493. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the advice provided to a company (details supplied) in respect of its employees being entitled to short-time work or jobseeker's benefit for hours they are not working; the way in which the payments relate to the employee wage subsidy scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23485/20]

Duncan Smith

Question:

498. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the directive her Department has given to a company (details supplied) to sign casual dockets for its employees who are not getting their full 35 hours per week. [23524/20]

Paul Murphy

Question:

508. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons in receipt of the EWSS are also eligible to apply for the short-time work support (details supplied). [23716/20]

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

510. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if staff of a company (details supplied), in the case that they met the conditions of the scheme, were eligible to claim short-time work support while under the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23786/20]

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

511. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if staff of a company (details supplied), in the case that they met the conditions of the scheme, were eligible to claim short-time work support while under the employment wage subsidy scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23787/20]

Duncan Smith

Question:

523. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if workers in receipt of the temporary wage subsidy scheme can apply retrospectively for social welfare entitlements in view of the clarification statement issued on 9 September 2020 on social welfare entitlements and the employment wage subsidy scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24138/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 475, 493, 498, 508, 510, 511 and 523 together.

My Department has advised that subject to satisfying the relevant eligibility criteria, employees may claim casual (i.e. part-time) jobseeker payments or Short-Time Work Support payments for days of unemployment, even where their employer is claiming the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme for days of employment.  The normal scheme rules and application processes apply, including completion of the relevant forms by the employer to certify days of employment and unemployment.  Officials from the Department have engaged with the employer concerned and advised of this position.

The position regarding any entitlement to jobseekers payments prior to the introduction of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme will depend on meeting the eligibility conditions, including satisfying the Department with regard to days of unemployment.  Applications are assessed on an individual bases and require supporting documentation from the employer verifying days of unemployment.

Any legal obligations that the employer may have to their employee as regards terms, conditions or entitlements of their employment, including pay, is a matter for the employer.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.