“It will be extended for months, not weeks.”
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has told the Dáil the €350 pandemic unemployment payment will be reduced for some part-time workers.
Speaking on Thursday, Varadkar said the weekly payment will be extended for “months” rather than weeks when the current plan ends on 8 June.
“The pandemic unemployment payment expires on the 8 June, a government decision on its future will be made tomorrow morning,” Varadkar said.
“I can give these three assurance to anyone who has received the payment today, it will be extended for months, not weeks.
“Nobody who was working full time before the pandemic, will not see their unemployment payment cut. It will stay at €350 a week for those working full-time.
“Some people who were working part-time will see their payments reduced but their weekly payments will still be more than they were earning on a weekly basis,” he added.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be extended for months, not weeks. Nobody who was working full-time before the pandemic will see their payment reduced. | Follow live updates: https://t.co/xlUZbU0Toa pic.twitter.com/YavwxxFYNS
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) June 4, 2020
The Taoiseach also expressed optimism that Ireland will continue into Phase Two of reopening the economy on Monday as planned.
Facing calls to speed up the lifting of restrictions, Varadkar warned any decisions made will be based on medical advise.
“It is better to adopt a slow and steady approach rather than move too far, too fast and fall backwards,” he said.
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