Pandemic unemployment payment to be extended 'for months'

Leinster House, home of the Dail, pictured.

The Taoiseach has confirmed in the Dail that the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment payment will be extended for months, not weeks.

He also said that there will be no change in the payment (€350 per week) being made to those who were working full time prior to the pandemic.

However, he said that “some people” who were working part time will see their payments reduced but their payments will remain more than what they were earning per week before the pandemic.

The Government is to formally announce its decision tomorrow regarding the future of the payments which were due to expire on June 8.

However, Leo Varadkar, speaking in the Dail this morning, said he could offer these three assurances today:

“It will be extended for months, not weeks;

“Nobody who was working full time before the Pandemic will see their PUP cut. It will stay at €350 per week for those who were working full-time prior to the Pandemic hitting;

“Some people who were working part-time will see their payments reduced but their weekly payments will still be more than they were earning on a weekly basis before the Pandemic.”