Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2020
1177. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if those childcare workers who are in receipt of one-parent family payment or working family payment, and who have also been receiving the wage subsidy scheme, will not be required to return the amount received during the Covid-19 closures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6033/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1229. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if those childcare workers who are in receipt of one-parent family payment or working family payment, and who have also been receiving the wage subsidy scheme, will not be required to return amounts received during the Covid-19 closures. [6041/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1177 and 1229 together.
The Revenue Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) is one of a number of measures to provide financial support to workers affected by the Covid-19 crisis. The scheme is operated by the Revenue Commissioners and enables eligible employees, whose employers’ business activities have experienced significant negative disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to receive supports directly from their employer. It also ensures that employers retain employees during the pandemic in order to facilitate the business’ operations in getting back to normal once the crisis eases. The subsidy scheme is implemented by employers through their payroll system, with employees receiving the subsidy payment along with any other payments made by the employer. It is a condition of this scheme that individuals cannot receive my Department’s Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment at the same time as receiving payments under the Revenue TWSS or DCYA TWSCS.
The One Parent Family Parent, a means tested payment and Working Family Payment an income assessed payment take account of any earnings received by claimants. This includes any amounts received by way of Revenue TWSS payments.
Childcare workers who are in receipt of the one parent family payment or the working family payment will continue to receive these payments during their temporary lay-off as a result of the Covid-19 related closures provided they continue to meet the eligibility conditions for these schemes.
It is open to any customer who considers that their circumstances have changed to request a review of their claim. If this results in an increased rate of payment, this increase will be backdated accordingly. A reduction in a rate of payment is normally only applied from a current date, unless there is evidence that a customer knowingly misled the Department or failed to report a change in their circumstances.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
