Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Employment Affairs & Social Protection Willie O’Dea has called on the Minister for Employment Affairs & Social Protection to clarify if the COVID19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be backdated.
Deputy O’Dea queried the position after he was contacted by several individuals who did not receive their payment today as expected.
“I appreciate that the Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection is dealing with an extraordinary number of applications for the COVID19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. However, I and some of my colleagues in Fianna Fáil have been contacted by a number of people who expected to receive their payment today but did not”, he said.
“The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection needs to clarify if these individuals will receive a double payment next week, and to guarantee that any arrears relating to the benefit will be paid from the date which an individual first applied.
“This is obviously a very distressing time for the tens of thousands of people who have lost their jobs suddenly and unexpectedly. I am calling on Minister Doherty to ensure that those who are entitled to the payment but did not receive it into their bank accounts this week will receive a double payment next week and that any arrears relating to the payment are paid in full”, concluded Deputy O’Dea.
