In the case where a person has had a reduction in their days of employment, the Department has clarified that, subject to satisfying the relevant eligibility criteria, employees may claim Casual Jobseeker payments or Short-Time Work Support payments for days of unemployment, even where their employer is claiming the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme for days of employment. Officials from my Department are engaging directly with the company referred to by the Deputy to provide any outstanding documentation required to finalise applications for jobseekers support under these arrangements.
Decisions around entitlement to the above payments for periods prior to the introduction of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme on 1 September will depend on meeting the eligibility conditions, including satisfying the Department with regard to days of unemployment. Applications are assessed on an individual basis and the Department will notify each individual of the outcome of its decision.
In relation to the two cases referred to by the Deputy, the Department is awaiting certain documentation from the first individual. Once this is received a decision on the claim will be prioritised. The claim from the second individual has been authorised from September 1st. Any entitlement prior to September 1st is under examination and will be decided shortly.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Question No. 544 answered with Question No. 44.
