Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 January 2021
333. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a worker who accepts a voluntary redundancy from his or her employer as a result of the downturn due to the Covid crisis is entitled to claim the pandemic unemployment payment. [2202/21]
View answer334. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a worker who is made redundant by his or her employer as a result of the Covid-19 crisis is entitled to claim the pandemic unemployment payment or if he or she must claim jobseeker's benefit or jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2203/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 333 and 334 together.
To date approximately €5.3 Billion has been paid on the Pandemic Unemployment payment (PUP) which continues to mitigate the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our economy and society. The scheme will remain open to new applications until 31st March.
To be eligible for PUP a person must have become unemployed due to the downturn in economic activity caused by the pandemic and satisfy the other statutory scheme conditions. A person who is made redundant due to the effects of Covid-19 on their employment is entitled to claim PUP in the same manner as a person who is temporarily laid off.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
