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Government Updates - Government Press Conference

Pandemic Unemployment Payment

It was confirmed at yesterday’s government press conference that the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be in place until April 2021 and payment rates will change on the 17 September 2020, 1 February 2021 and on 1 April 2021.
 
As part of the July Jobs Stimulus, a decision was taken to close access to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment for new entrants from September 17, 2020. However, Minister Humphreys yesterday secured Cabinet approval to extend this date until the end of 2020. This means that anyone who loses their employment as a result of the pandemic after September 17th will be able to avail of the appropriate Pandemic Unemployment Rate.
 

Extension of the Waiver on Waiting Days for Job seekers Payments

Minister Humphreys has also secured Government approval to extend the waiver on waiting days for Jobseeker payments until 2021.
 
Ordinarily, when a person makes an application for a jobseeker’s benefit or allowance, payment is not made for the first three days of unemployment, called 'waiting days’. These waiting days will continue to be waived on applications for Jobseeker’s payments until 2021.
 

Suspension of Right to Claim Redundancy Extended

The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, yesterday secured government approval to extend the redundancy provisions relating to temporary lay-off and short-time work, which arose as a result of Covid-19 until November 30, 2020.
 
Section 29 of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 temporarily reduced the scope of the operation of the Redundancy Payments Act 1967 by the addition of Section 12A to the Redundancy Payments Act.
 
The insertion of Section 12A temporarily suspended the provisions in the Redundancy Payments Act which permitted those on a period of layoff or short time, (for 4 weeks or more, or for 6 weeks in the last 13 weeks), to give notice of their intention to claim for redundancy from their Employer.
 
It is important to note that the Employee’s right to claim redundancy has not been removed but rather deferred for the emergency period in circumstances of temporary lay-off or short-time employment.


Disclaimer – The information in this section is provided for reference purposes only to assist Employers with the government protocols and guidance and must be read in that context and should not be used for or interpreted as a legal definition of any of the information provided. Some of the information provided is per information published on the government websites at www.gov.ie. Professional advice should always be sought before making any such decisions.

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