Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 December 2020
55. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if cuts made to the pandemic unemployment payment in September 2020 will be reversed in view of the increased restrictions that have been introduced in sectors of the economy and are likely to be introduced in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26794/20]
View answer57. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons who return to work in the retail or hospitality sectors in December 2020 will be able to apply for the pandemic unemployment payment in January and February 2021 in the event that further restrictions are required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40013/20]
View answer70. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether applications for the pandemic unemployment payment should be extended to April 2021 in line with employment wage subsidy scheme and the reduced bands restored to their earlier rates in view of the new localised lockdowns and in view of the fact the State is just entering the final quarter of the year. [26635/20]
View answer71. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions and steps she will take to assure those working in the hospitality sector that may be able to open for the Christmas period but find themselves in lockdown after 1 January 2021, they can avail of the pandemic unemployment payment if further lockdowns are employed or if their businesses need to close; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40149/20]
View answerSince its introduction on the 15th March in response to the global Covid-19 pandemic, expenditure on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment has amounted to some €4.3 billion.
Last week, I secured Government approval to keep the scheme open for new applicants until the 31st March next year. Following a Government decision in September the scheme had been due to close for applications at the end of this year. The extension to the closing date will ensure workers are eligible to apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment again if they lose employment in the coming months if further Covid-19 restrictions have to be imposed.
Following the move to level 5 restrictions, the €350 rate of Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been re-introduced for those individuals who had prior average weekly earnings of €400 or more. This ensures that the rates remain aligned to prior earnings, and costs are kept at a sustainable level which is important as the scheme is due to continue until end of March.
I have also extended the 2020 earnings reference period from February to the end of September 2020. This will allow people who started employment after February 2020 but are now laid-off due to increased restrictions to have their payment rate fixed according to their earnings in the period January to September 2020. No one will have their weekly rate of payment reduced as a result of the re-assessment of their earnings.
I trust that this clarifies the matter at this time.
