Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
548. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of a Covid-19 related payment; when such payment is likely to terminate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25526/20]
View answerLast week, my Department made pandemic unemployment payments to 206,341 people at a cost of some €61.3 million. In total over €3.5 billion has been spent on these payments.
As announced under the July Stimulus, the pandemic unemployment payment has been extended until end of March 2021. I have recently secured agreement of Government to keep the payment open to new applications until the end of 2020. This means that anyone who loses their employment over the coming months, including those who may have returned to work but may be affected by new closures, will be able to avail of the support.
The Government has decided that from 17 September the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be paid at three rates linked to a person's pre-covid employment earnings. Individuals whose prior earnings were €300 or over per week will receive a payment of €300 per week. A rate of €250 will apply to those who previously earned between €200 and €300; and the rate of €203 remains unchanged for those who had prior earnings of less than €200. My Department is advising those people affected of these rate changes and is setting out for them the basis for the decision in each case.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
