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Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2020

Tuesday, 29 September 2020

Ceisteanna (526)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Ceist:

526. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection if inquiries will be made in the case of a taxi driver (details supplied) who was placed on a lower pandemic unemployment payment despite having an average income of over €450 per week due to treatment of capital allowances by the Revenue Commissioners; if her attention has been drawn to the number of taxi drivers similarly affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26929/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As part of the July Jobs Stimulus package the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was extended by 7 months to the end of March 2021.  This extension continues the support for people who have lost employment due to the pandemic. The rates were changed to reflect that the payment had been extended and to take into account the earnings of the applicants before they had lost employment.

From 17/09/2020 until 31/01/2020 where a person’s prior earnings were between €200 and €300 per week, the rate of the PUP is €250 per week. 

The Revenue Commissioners has advised my Department that income for the person concerned after application of capital allowances in 2019 was €12,076 giving him an average income of €232.23 per week. 

The PUP rate of €250 is correct based on the information available to my Department.

If the person concerns believes this is inaccurate, he should supply documents to support this.  It is important to note that my Department will only accept earnings which have been notified to Revenue and have been subject to PRSI.

Any information which is supplied to declare earnings will be matched against Revenue records and any discrepancies will be followed up.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

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