I propose to take Questions Nos. 790, 797, 830 to 832, inclusive, 846, 857, 858, 862 and 863 together.
The COVID-19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as a time limited emergency measure in response to the pandemic and Government has approved the extension of this payment until 10th August. The Government is aware that there are certain sectors which will be affected by business closures longer than others and the confirmation that this payment will be available until early August provides financial certainty to people affected at this time.
The conditions for receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment are that a person must be of working age between 18 and up to 66 years old, have been in employment immediately before 13th March and have lost their income from employment due to the pandemic. Where a person does not meet the conditions for receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and they are unemployed for 4 days or more in a week they can apply for the social-insurance based jobseekers benefit or means tested jobseekers allowance.
A self-employed person must have suffered a collapse of income and be available to take up other full time employment if it was available, in order to qualify for the pandemic unemployment payment. Where a self-employed person does not meet the conditions for receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and are operating at a reduced level of business they may be eligible for support under the jobseekers allowance payment. Jobseeker’s Benefit for the self- employed, which I introduced last year, is available for self -employed people who have ceased trading and who satisfy the conditions of the scheme which include having sufficient social insurance contributions paid.
It should be noted that any person who is experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for other financial support under the means tested supplementary welfare allowance scheme including an Exceptional or Urgent needs payment.
My colleague, the Minister for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has introduced a range of supports and guidance to assist businesses with their recovery from the severe financial impacts of the pandemic. The Minister Children and Youth Affairs has announced a major funding package to facilitate the reopening of childcare facilities from 29 June 2020. Details of these supports are available on www.gov.ie.
I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.