Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
1106. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for the pandemic unemployment payment by a person (details supplied) will be investigated; if the other support options available to the person can be outlined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8918/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced by my Department in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. To be eligible for the Covid-19 PUP, a person must have been in employment or self-employment on or after 6/3/2020 and must have lost their employment or self-employment due to a downturn in economic activity related to Covid-19.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned ceased employment on 28/2/2020. Unfortunately therefore, I am advised that he does not meet the eligibility criteria for this income support as he was not employed on or after 6/3/2020.
The records of my Department show the person concerned submitted an application for a Jobseeker's Allowance dated 4/3/2020. A Jobseeker's Allowance was awarded and the person concerned received this first payment on 10/3/2020 inclusive of all arrears due to him.
If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulties he can contact his local Community Welfare Service in the Blanchardstown Intreo Centre where his circumstances will be assessed. Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department can make a single Exceptional Needs Payment to help meet essential, once-off expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. There is no automatic entitlement to these payments which are payable at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case, in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance. The Community Welfare Service may be contacted by phone at 01 858 1310/1 or by email at enps.d15@welfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
