LAST UPDATE | 20 Jul 2020

THE TOP RATE of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) could be reduced to €300  a week in the autumn.

It is understood the proposal is under consideration as part of the phased reduction of the PUP, which will be included in the government’s July stimulus plan, which was due to be signed off on tomorrow by Cabinet. 

Due to the EU Council negotiations running over, Taoiseach Micheál Martin is delayed in Brussels.

The Cabinet meeting tomorrow is scheduled to discuss the July Stimulus package for Irish businesses, as well as the country’s travel ‘Green List’.

The proposal to cut the PUP comes as new figures released today show that 313,800 people are to receive the Covid-19 PUP this week, down 31,800 on last week and down 100,000 in two weeks.

The payments are worth €97 million. The highest payment of €350 a week is for those who were earning €200 a week or more, while the payment for those earning up to €199,99 a week receive the Covid-19 PUP of €203 a week.

In the past seven days, 28,700 people have closed their claim for a Pandemic Unemployment Payment. 

Deadline for PUP eligibility

The largest cohort returning to work is aged between 35 and 44.

The top three sectors in which employees are returning to work this week are:

• Accommodation and food services;
• Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; and
• Construction.

Some 13,100 will be receiving their final payment tomorrow, 21 July.

Today is the final deadline for the remaining PUP recipients who have yet to confirm their continued eligibility for the payment.

They can do this online if they haven’t already -  you can do so online to continue to receive a payment.

Any person who experiences difficulty in doing this should contact the helpline 1890 800 024 (Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm.)

July stimulus

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said: “This week, I will be announcing initiatives under the Government’s July Stimulus package aimed specifically at enabling people to move back into employment.

“I have been working closely with the officials in my Department and my colleagues in Government on developing a suite of measures that will stimulate the economy and provide supports to businesses.

A key element of the package will be enhancing the supports available to people who have lost employment during this pandemic to assist them back into work as quickly as possible.

Humphreys also urged caution, and that businesses and employees needed to adhere to the public health advice:

“It is absolutely critical that we heed the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team as everyone is eager to move ahead. Now is not the time to become complacent and we must continue to follow the advice of NPHET.”

Other welfare payments

As well as those availing of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, there are now over 67,400 employers who have registered with the Revenue Commissioners for the Covid-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS).

An estimated 415,000 employees are currently being supported by the scheme having received a subsidy in their most recent pay period.

The above payments are in addition to the 220,900 people who were reported on the Live Register as of the end of June.