Paul Murphy
Ceist:1219. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a pandemic unemployment payment will be backdated for a person (details supplied). [5916/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 20 May 2020
Ceisteanna (1219)
Freagraí scríofa
According to the records of my Department, I am advised that the person concerned is currently in receipt of a Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment (PUP).
The current focus is on ensuring that PUP payments are made and continue to be made to all who qualify for them. My Department is aware that many people are due some arrears and that each person's case is unique. This means that each person's individual application may need to be reviewed to accurately calculate any arrears due.
Given the current extraordinary circumstances it will be some time before my Department will be able to fully resolve the arrears issue. Should the person concerned be experiencing financial difficulties he can contact the Community Welfare Service (CWS) in the Tallaght Intreo Centre to seek financial assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme.
Under SWA, the Department can make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.
The Community Welfare Service can be contacted by phone at 01 4629400 or by email at CWSTallaght@welfare.ie.
Updates will also be provided via my Department's website www.gov.ie/deasp.