Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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243. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the decision to reduce or phase out the pandemic unemployment payment over the coming months with recipients moving to a more traditional social welfare payment, is causing significant anxiety particularly among low income families who are fearful of a marked decrease in income coming up to Christmas; if she will give compassionate consideration in view of the very difficult past 18 months to delaying the reductions in the pandemic unemployment payment and transition to other payments until after the holiday period in order that families can enjoy Christmas without additional financial stress during this time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44292/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced as an exceptional measure in response to the unprecedented impact on employment and earnings as a result of Government mandated public health measures. To date expenditure on the scheme is almost €8.7 billion.

The number of customers in receipt of PUP is continuing to fall at a pace from a peak of over 602,000  to just over 114,600 this week as a result of the gradual lifting of restrictions and the success of the Covid-19 vaccination programme. The requirement for special arrangements is diminishing and it is important in the interests of equity and sustainability to restore standard social welfare terms.

To allow as much time as possible for the economy to re-open and for employments to recover, the Government agreed to taper the payment of PUP over time between September 2021 and February 2022 to align it with the standard jobseekers terms.

From this week, the 14th of September, the maximum rate of PUP of €350 has reduced to €300, the current rate of €300 reduced to €250 and the rate of €250 has changed to €203. Two further phases of rate changes are scheduled to take place from 16th November 2021 and 8th February 2022. 

The Government also agreed that PUP customers who were paid the €203 rate of payment before 14th September would transition to standard Jobseeker terms commencing this month.

This process was due to begin in early September. However, I have deferred this process until after all sectors have started to re-open in line with the publication of the Government's Roadmap "Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting". This approach will support individuals working in those sectors of the economy that are re-opening more slowly than others. This means that all affected customers, those who were currently in receipt of the PUP €203 rate, will not see any changes to their PUP payments until after 26th October. Work on the transition process will commence at the end of September when the Department will write to all affected customers to outline the changes.  There are also a wide range of employment supports available for PUP recipients as part of Pathways to Work strategy.

The means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme also remains available through the Community Welfare Service at the local Intreo Centre for any person who is experiencing financial hardship. Supports provided under the scheme include Supplements and Urgent and Exceptional Needs Payments.

I hope that this clarifies the position at this time for the Deputy.