The Workplace Relations Commission dismissed Seamus Eager’s claim over his refusal of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), finding it misconceived under the Equal Status Acts. The decision was dated 14 June 2021.
Eager said he was refused PUP because he was over 66 and receiving the contributory state pension. The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection argued the payment was emergency support for people aged 18 to 66 who had lost work and were not being paid by their employer.
The complaint was referred under the Employment Equality Act, but the officer found it had been submitted under the wrong Act and proceeded under the Equal Status Acts. The officer concluded the PUP age criteria were established on a statutory basis and fell within an exemption under section 14(1)(a).