Pay limbo for workers left out of work by Covid-19 crisis

WEXFORD workers who suddenly find themselves unemployed are being denied Social Welfare payments for several weeks as they do not have a Public Services card.

Independent TD Verona Murphy has called on the Minister for Employment Affairs & Social Protection Regina Doherty, to waive the requirement for people who suddenly find themselves out of work due to the Covid-19 restrictions affecting large sections of the economy – including people employed in the tourism and leisure sectors - to have the card.

Deputy Murphy, who is representing the Regional Independent TD group in a political leaders’ health committee, was contacted by a business owner in Co Wexford who has two staff who had their hours significantly reduced due to the restrictions.

Deputy Murphy said: ‘ The two staff members called to their local Social Welfare office in New Ross to make a claim. Unfortunately, the Social Welfare staff informed them that they could not process their claim as they did not have Public Services cards.’

The cards were first introduced on a pilot basis in 2011 and are required by Social Welfare staff to fully authenticate people’s identities. They hold a person’s name, photograph, signature and PPS number.

Deputy Murphy said due to the all-encompassing nature of the restrictions, allowances should be made to ensure workers who want to work can at least be in receipt of Social Welfare payment.

‘It will take two to three weeks for the applications for these cards to be processed and with the current restrictions where people are working from home or not at all, the process is likely to take longer. This is a matter of urgency.’

Deputy Murphy has contacted Minister Doherty urging her to assist in the thousands of cases which must be happening throughout the country, urging her to waive the rule for the time being.