Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
615. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to urgently examine an alleged Covid-19 overpayment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45037/26]
View answerThe Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced in 2020 to provide support to people who had lost their employment due to the public health restrictions introduced in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Under Section 68L (1) (d) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended), PUP is not payable where a person is engaged in insurable employment.
My Department has conducted an extensive analysis of Pandemic Unemployment Payments in the period since 5th August 2020 and has cross checked payments against payroll records from employers submitted to the Revenue Commissioners. The information available to my Department indicates that the person concerned was in receipt of an employment income for 7 weeks whilst concurrently in receipt of PUP. This resulted in a net PUP overpayment of €700. Please note that this overpayment is not in relation to the COVID 19 enhanced illness benefit scheme.
It was initially proposed that the person concerned repay a weekly amount of €40 but no repayments have been made to date. The person concerned has received communication from my Department advising of the various repayment options available, including paying online through the person's verified MyGovID account.
The person concerned can negotiate a repayment amount suitable to their current situation by contacting my Department’s Central Debt Unit to discuss their options. The phone number is 0719672591 and the email address is centraldebt@welfare.ie
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
