I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 51, 54, 63, 67, 73, 75, 85, 91, 93, 209, 211, 212, 232 and 238 together.
As part of the Governments July stimulus package announced last week the pandemic unemployment payment has been extended to 1st April 2021. Changes have been introduced to the structure of the payment which means that it continues to be a strong support but is also fair and targeted.
From 17 September 2020 until 31 January 2021 the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be paid at 3 rates. People who previously earned over €300 per week will receive €300 per week, people who earned €200 to €300 will receive €250 and people who earned less than €200 will receive €203. From 1 February 2021 there will be 2 rates. People who earned over €300 per week will receive €250 and people who earned less than €300 per week will receive €203. From 1 April 2021 people in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment will need to apply for a jobseeker payment.
Where a person is self-employed their average weekly income for 2018 was used to determine their rate of payment for the pandemic unemployment payment. This is the last tax year for which complete data on self-employed income is available.
The pandemic unemployment payment rate changes are necessary given the extended period over which the payment will be available. It is also important to begin the process of aligning it with normal jobseeker payments over time.
It is also important to remember that those with adult dependents have the option of applying for a jobseeker payment, which is paid at €350 for a two-person household.
The July Stimulus Package also allocated significant funding of some €112 million in employment support service measures to assist people back to work details of which are available on www.gov.ie
I trust that this clarifies the position.