It has been confirmed that the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be extended until the end of August.

The Finance Minister this afternoon said the scheme would be extended alongside the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme.

He said the subsidy may end up lasting longer than the pandemic payment.

Payments

Speaking at Government Buildings, Paschal Donohoe said the pandemic payment would be extended until Phase Five of the roadmap for reopening – but will be split into a two-tier structure from June 29th.

“The extraordinary level of support that is in place now can’t last forever but equally the unprecedented shock that many businesses big and small all over our country have experienced will take some time to resolve,” he said.

The changes mean part-time workers who were earning less than €200 before the outbreak will see their payment cut to €203 per week.

Full-time worker will continue to receive €350 per week.

“Gentle re-calibration”

The Minister for Social protection Regina Doherty said the “gentle re-calibration” of the payment brings it in line with what would have happened if officials had more time to set it up in the first place.

She said the changes will only affect part-time workers.

“The gentle recalibration we are announcing today brings the payment closer to the type of appropriate assistance we would have originally introduced if we had the time and the bandwidth to design a targeted approach,” she said.

“However, the virus did not give us the luxury and we could not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. We had to concentrate on delivering the best possible impact at top speed.

“So today, with greater time and more space we can step back and recalibrate our response to ensure it is tailored more equitable and effective.”

She said the changes would “deliver a fairer way to target resources while ensuring everyone gets an appropriate level of assistance.

She said everyone who sees a cut will “still be receiving from the State more than they were earning prior to the pandemic.”