Northern cross-border workers affected by COVID-19 lay offs left in limbo - Seanadóir McCallion

Se. McCallion claimed cross-border workers affected are being left without support by the Irish Government.

Elisha McCallion said: “We are now weeks into necessary measures being taken to stop the spread of Covid-19 across the island.

“This is a difficult time for all of us, but particularly for workers and families who lost their jobs as a result of this crisis.

“It’s unacceptable that people - who work and pay taxes in the south - are being left without support by the Irish Government.

“More confusion was created last week where the Department of Social Protection instructed workers, including people in the north, who were successful for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment to pay it back as it was granted in error.”

“The Irish Government should do the right thing and extend this payment to cross border workers living in the north,” Mrs McCallion added.

The Irish government has advised: “The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment for workers who have been made unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic is not available to those resident in Northern Ireland.

“Frontier worker who lives in Northern Ireland should visit www.eurescrossborder.eu/covid-19-cross-border-workers to see what supports they may be eligible for.”

The Irish government said that a cross-border worker who had been working in Northern Ireland but who lives in the Republic can claim for COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.