Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
631. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment of €350 will be suspended in view of the fact it was a 12-week temporary payment; and if not, the length of time it will be extended for. [10052/20]
View answer645. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a submission by an organisation (details supplied) will be supported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9816/20]
View answer647. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will extend current support payments for photographers and videographers in view of the fact that due to the nature of their business they will be affected by business closure longer than other sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9866/20]
View answer672. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment will continue as long as social distancing and other restrictions are in place for those employed in businesses impacted by these restrictions in order to ensure income stability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10198/20]
View answer674. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to ensure the pandemic unemployment payment end dates will be addressed on a sector by sector basis in acknowledgement that some sectors of the workforce will take longer to get back on their feet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10248/20]
View answer675. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered the recovery plan of an organisation (details supplied); and if additional supports will be provided to sectors most impacted by Covid-19. [10271/20]
View answer677. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures to be put in place to extend the Covid-19 reliefs duration to professions such as self-employed photographers and videographers and so on likely to be the in the last sections to return to normal employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10336/20]
View answer687. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider providing sectors most impacted by the Covid-19 crisis with certainty in relation to the continuation of the pandemic unemployment payment, in particular photographers and videographers that are especially impacted by the pandemic and will be slower to recover; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10475/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 631, 645, 647, 672, 674, 675, 677 and 687 together.
The COVID-19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as a time limited emergency measure in response to the pandemic for an initial 12 week period. The Government has, as of last Friday, approved the extension of this payment until 10th August. Changes were also announced to the structure of this payment which means that it continues to be a strong support but is also fair and targeted.
The Government is mindful of the fact that there are certain professions and businesses which will be affected by business closures longer than other sectors, including self employed photographers and videographers, and the confirmation that this payment will be available until early August provides financial certainty to people in these sectors. My colleague, the Minister for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has introduced a range of supports and guidance to assist businesses with their recovery from the severe financial impacts of the pandemic and the details are available on that Department's website at www.dbei.gov.ie.
I trust this clarifies the position at this time.
