Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
500. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an increased pandemic unemployment payment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied); and the reason their claim was rerated given they have not worked since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. [40418/20]
View answerFrom last March to June 29th last the Pandemic Unemployment Payment was paid at a flat rate of €350 per week.
From June 29th the Pandemic Unemployment Payment was paid at two different rates and this rate was linked to an employee's average gross weekly earnings in 2019. If the average was greater than €200 per week in 2019 then the appropriate Pandemic Unemployment Payment rate was €350pw.
From September 17th last the Pandemic Unemployment Payment was paid at 3 different rates and, again, this rate was linked to an employee's average gross weekly earnings in 2019. If the average was between €200 and €300 per week in 2019 then the appropriate Pandemic Unemployment Payment rate was €250pw.
Since October 15th there are 4 different rates of Pandemic Unemployment Payment and, again, this rate is linked to an employee's average gross weekly earnings in 2019. If the average was between €200 and €300 per week in 2019 then the appropriate Pandemic Unemployment Payment rate was €250pw.
Having reviewed the details of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment of the person concerned, my Department is satisfied that the correct rate has been paid to the customer since September 17th last for the reasons outlined above. However, if the customer wishes to have his payments reviewed he should forward a request for same, along with supporting documentation, to puprerate@welfare.ie or PUP Rerate, Department of Social Protection, Cork Road, Waterford.
