Cathal Crowe
Question:806. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider measures (details supplied) to inject life into the events and arts industries post Covid-19. [12875/20]
View answerTuesday, 30 June 2020
Questions (806)
Written answers
The COVID-19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as a time limited emergency measure in response to the pandemic and approval has been given to the extension of this payment until 10th August. The Government is aware that there are certain sectors which will be affected by business closures longer than others and the confirmation that this payment will be available until early August provides financial certainty to people affected at this time.
Where a person does not meet the conditions for receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and they are unemployed for 4 days or more in a week they can apply for the social-insurance based jobseekers benefit or means tested jobseekers allowance.
A self-employed person who is continuing to operate their business at a reduced level may be eligible for support under the jobseekers allowance payment. Jobseekers Benefit for the self-employed, which I introduced last year, is a PRSI support available for self-employed people who have ceased trading. I have also recently announced the extension of the Enterprise Support Grant which will be made available to small business owners who transition from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment to re-open the business. The grant, of up to €1,000, will be payable to self-employed micro enterprises which employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from the COVID 19 Business Restart Grant or other similar business reopening grants. The Department is developing the systems to put it into effect and will communicate how to access the grant in the coming weeks.
It should be noted that any person who is experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for other financial support under the means tested supplementary welfare allowance scheme including an Exceptional or Urgent needs payment.
My Department is primarily responsible for income support and many of the concerns raised in your submissions are relevant to my colleague the Minister for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.