Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
1099. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person is eligible to apply for the pandemic unemployment payment if their employment ceases at the end of the casual employment season in fish processing factories; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18165/21]
View answer1123. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views and advice on a matter (details supplied) in relation to seasonal workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18702/21]
View answer1139. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views regarding the tourism industry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19126/21]
View answer1165. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to bus drivers who are seasonal workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19739/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1099, 1123, 1139 and 1165 together.
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is established as a statutory scheme since 5th August 2020 and is available to support employees and self-employed who have lost their employment as a direct consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the statutory conditions of the scheme, recipients must either be an employed contributor or in insurable self-employment in the week immediately before being impacted by the pandemic. A person must have a least one qualifying contribution in the previous 4 week period immediately before claiming PUP or be a self-employed contributor. A person who has not yet commenced employment, seasonal or otherwise, is not eligible for PUP as they do not satisfy the requirement that they were previously in employment. Similarly, the requirements in place from March to August 2020 required that the recipient was in employment prior to receiving PUP. Supports under the jobseekers schemes may be available to people affected in these circumstances.
A person in casual employment in a fish processing factory would not be eligible to receive PUP if that employment was due to cease at the end of the fishing season rather than as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. In line with normal arrangements, people in this situation may be entitled to supports under the jobseeker payments.
Jobseeker's Benefit is a social insurance income support payment based on a persons PRSI contribution record. Where an individual does not have entitlement under Jobseeker’s Benefit, they may qualify for a means tested Jobseeker’s Allowance payment. A person is advised to engage with their local Intreo centre to assess the supports available to them.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputies.
