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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 December 2020

Thursday, 3 December 2020

Ceisteanna (48)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

48. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the impact of the move to level 5 on the budget of her Department for 2020. [40166/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Since level 5 restrictions were introduced, there has been increased expenditure on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the Employee Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and COVID-19 Illness Benefit. The 2020 Further Revised Estimate voted on by the Dáil on Wednesday, 18th November 2020 provided for an allocation of €5,094.4 million for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). The number of weekly payments increased from 244,153 in the week ending 23rd October to just over 352,000 by week ending 27th November 2020. The weekly expenditure increased from €65.5 million in the week ending 23rd October to €104 million by the last week of November 2020. The 2020 Further Revised Estimate provided for an allocation of €1,740 million for the Employee Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). While EWSS is funded from the Department's Vote 37, the scheme is administered by Revenue.Since the move to Level 5 restrictions announced, the rates of payment have been aligned with PUP and subsidies to employers in respect of their employees are paid within 2 days of payroll submissions. EWSS expenditure was €923.2 million up to Friday, 26th November 2020, of which €12.1 million was incurred in September 2020 (in respect of August), €274.5 million in October 2020 (in respect of September) and €636.6 million in November 2020 so far. Approximately €341 million of the expenditure in November was in respect of retrospective claims for October, with the balance representing current month claims for November. The 2020 Further Revised Estimate provided for an allocation of €74 million for COVID-19 Illness Benefit. Expenditure of €51.6 million was incurred up to Friday, 20th November 2020 of which €3.9 million was in September 2020, €8.9 million in October 2020 and €5.2 million for the first 3 weeks of November.

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