Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021
132. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to maintain pandemic unemployment payments beyond the end of June 2021 particularly in sectors that are not fully open or open, for example, if workers in the restaurant industry are returning to work with fewer hours due to outdoor only dining that the payment will be tapered to meet the payment that they have been on. [26150/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra133. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider introducing a pandemic unemployment payment for persons who have returned to work but whose industry will be in flux for the following several weeks and will experience fluctuations in their income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26232/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra144. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment at the start of each month in 2021; the projected numbers predicted to be on the scheme on 1 June 2021 and 1 July 2021; if it is planned to continue with this scheme after this date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25423/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 132, 133 and 144 together.
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is available to employees and the self employed who lost employment due to Covid-19. To date expenditure on the scheme is approximately €7.5 billion which demonstrates the Governments commitment to workers impacted by the pandemic.
The PUP scheme will remain available until 30th June. The Government will set out plans for the future of the PUP post June over the coming weeks taking account of the trajectory of the virus, progress on the vaccine roll out, progress in terms of people returning to work and the continued impact of the pandemic on the economy over the months ahead.
The Department’s main social welfare schemes for people who are unemployed are the social insurance contribution-based Jobseeker's Benefit and means tested Jobseeker's Allowance. Both schemes provide support to individuals so that they can work up to 3 days a week and still retain access to a reduced jobseeker’s payment. On that basis I have no plans to provide for the payment of PUP while employees are in paid employment.
The table below refer to payment numbers for the PUP in the first pay-date of the month for the current year. Detailed statistics on the PUP payments are published by my Department each week on the Government's website.
The following table shows the projected numbers for recipients of the payment for the period for early June and July of the current year as per the Further Revised Estimates.
|
January |
335,410 |
|
February |
480,780 |
|
March |
469,320 |
|
April |
439,120 |
|
May |
384,830 |
|
June 2021 |
345,000 |
|
July 2021 |
325,000 |
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputies at this time.
