Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 September 2020
94. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was awarded a pandemic unemployment payment and then subsequently had it withdrawn; the reason subsequent requests for information by this Deputy to the pandemic unemployment payment team have been declined; if there is an ongoing examination of the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24249/20]
View answerThe records of my Department show the person concerned submitted an application for a Jobseeker's Benefit payment dated 12/3/2020. In this application he confirmed his last day worked was 28/2/2020 and that his employment had ended. His loss of employment was not due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The person concerned also provided a letter from his former employer confirming this information. A Jobseeker's Benefit payment was awarded from 12/3/2020. According to Departmental records, the person concerned withdrew his Jobseeker’s Benefit payment on 10/6/2020.
The person concerned subsequently made an online application for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). The Department's records show the Deputy was advised that this claim was being awarded. However as the person concerned did not lose his employment due to the pandemic this advice to the Deputy was incorrect and this error is regretted.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
