Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 June 2021
343. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the continuation of the pandemic unemployment benefit for the aviation sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32548/21]
View answerThe Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a statutory income support for qualifying employees and the self-employed who have lost employment due to Covid-19. As employments are continuing to reopen with the lifting of public health restrictions the number of people in receipt of the PUP are reducing with some 267,000 supported by the payment this week. This support is available to all workers impacted by the pandemic, including those in the aviation sector, and is not provided on a sectoral basis.
I have recently confirmed as part of the National Economic Recovery Plan that PUP is being extended beyond the end of June 2021. This extension is not sector-specific. To allow as much time as possible for employment to recover, a transitional approach will be taken with payments reduced on a tapered basis over 6 months from next September. People currently receiving the €203 rate and those who reach the €203 rate in each phase, will then transition to standard jobseeker terms over a period of time and with advance notice.
The Community Welfare Service remains available to provide support for any person who is experiencing financial hardship under the means-tested supplementary welfare allowance scheme including an Exceptional or Urgent Needs payment.
I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.
