Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
1563. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to provide a dedicated telephone number or email address for a section (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1170/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced in 2020 in response to the unprecedented disruption caused to the Irish labour market on foot of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Some 880,000 people received at least one payment under the scheme. In total, some 30 million individual payments issued under the scheme.
My Department is reviewing cases where there is an apparent overlap between PUP payment records and employer payroll returns to Revenue. When a customer is contacted about their overpayment, the letter advises them that they can provide clarification on the matter and/or submit supporting documentary evidence. The letter also advises the customer that they can do so by contacting the dedicated phone number on the letter or by writing directly to the officer who issued the letter.
If the Deputy has a query in relation to a PUP overpayment, the PUP section can be contacted directly by sending an email to the dedicated email [TDREPSWesternRegion@welfare.ie] or by choosing option 3 on calling 071 9157100.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
