The COVID 19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as a time-limited emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. Government has recently approved the extension of the payment up to 10th August.
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. If a person was due to take up seasonal employment but they were not in employment immediately prior to 13th March they are not eligible to receive the pandemic unemployment payment. It would be impossible to construct a scheme based on claims of potential or prospective but unrealised employment, particularly where the economy was operating at full-employment with many unfilled vacancies prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
People who do not qualify for the emergency payment are eligible to apply for jobseekers benefit if they meet the social insurance contribution condition requirement otherwise they may apply for means tested jobseekers allowance.
Any person who is experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for financial support under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme which can include support under the exceptional or urgent needs payments.
The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant, payable by the Department of Education and Skills, represents the primary support for people pursuing third level education. The matter of supports for students for the forthcoming academic year should be referred to the Department of Education and Skills.
I trust this clarifies the position.