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The PUP officially winds down...

Ireland

The PUP officially winds down today

Jonathan Duane
Jonathan Duane

10:33 5 Apr 2022


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Those on it will be moved to jobseeker's benefit.

The PUP has been in place for two years and cost the State nine billion euro.

It was a universal payment, and supported tens of thousands of people who were impacted by the pandemic.

At one point a flat rate of €350 per week was provided, before the sum was restructured and reduced over time.

In January the scheme was closed to new applicants.

More than 44,000 people, who remained on it, received their final payment last week.

Those who're eligible will be transferred to jobseeker's today, bringing an end to the emergency support.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy says the state should see the end of the PUP as an opportunity to increase social welfare payments.

"A lesson of the pandemic is that we should not have people living on less than the poverty line in this day and age in a rich country," TD Murphy said.

"You can increase all social welfare payments by €25 and you can pay for that very simply by increasing employer's PRSI by 2 percent," he added.


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Covid-19 PUP Pandemic Pandemic Payment Pandemic Unemployment Payment