Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020
821. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when more than four weeks' outstanding pandemic unemployment payments will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12975/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware that many people are due some arrears and that each person’s case is unique. This means that each person’s application may need to be individually reviewed to accurately calculate any arrears.
Unfortunately the current circumstances mean that it will be a number of months before my Department will be able to fully resolve the arrears issue. While this is not ideal I can assure you that all cases will be examined and where arrears arise they will be processed and applicants will be notified.
In the case of the person concerned there is no need for him to do anything further as my Department will contact him when his arrears are processed. Further updates will also be available on www.gov.ie/deasp.
If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulties in the interim, it is open to him to contact his local Community Welfare Service in Maynooth 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 contact details for this service are by phone at 01 6016360.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
