The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced as an emergency payment for employees and self employed people who lost employment as a direct consequence of Covid-19. To date expenditure on the scheme is over €8.2 billion.
To be eligible for the payment, a person must satisfy all of the qualifying conditions of the statutory scheme which includes that they cannot be in receipt of employment income from their employer
Where a person does not qualify for PUP, they may be eligible for support under the Jobseeker schemes. A person may work up to 3 days a week and still retain access to a reduced Jobseeker payment subject to satisfying the conditions of the scheme. Jobseeker's Benefit is a social insurance contribution-based support which is normally paid for 9 months (234 days) for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions paid and for 6 months (156 days) for people with fewer than 260 PRSI contributions paid.
Where a person does not qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit or has exhausted their entitlement to the payment, they may apply for means tested Jobseeker's Allowance. The maximum weekly personal rate for Jobseeker's Allowance rate is aligned to the rate for Jobseeker's Benefit which is €203 and increased allowances may be paid for qualifying adult and child dependents.
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, which is means tested, is provided by the Community Welfare Service at the local Intreo Centre, for any person who is in need of financial assistance. Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments are included in the supports available under the scheme.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy at this time.
