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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 September 2020

Thursday, 10 September 2020

Questions (142)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

142. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if additional supports will be provided to chauffeurs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23448/20]

View answer

Written answers

As was announced as part of the July Jobs Stimulus package, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been extended until the end of March 2021 to support the employees and businesses who continue to be impacted by the COVID- 19 pandemic. The scheme is due to close for new applications on 17th September. Changes have also been announced to the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment to make it more sustainable given the extension period and to ensure that it is targeted at people who are most in need of the support.

From 17 September 2020 the pandemic unemployment payment will be paid at three rates. People who previously earned over €300 per week will receive €300 per week. A new rate of €250 will apply to people who earned €200 to €300 and the rate of €203 remains unchanged if they earned less than €200.

In determining the appropriate rate of Pandemic Unemployment Payment in the case of self-employed individuals, my Department will take 2019 earnings into consideration where a person files their returns to Revenue. Prior to this, the information used for the self-employed referred to that of 2018, which is the last tax year for which complete verifiable data on self-employed income is available. This change may provide for an increased rate of payment depending on an individual’s particular circumstances. Reviews can be submitted to PUPRerate@welfare.ie and should be accompanied by supporting documentation. The Department will process applications for review as quickly as possible.

In order to give every opportunity to employed and self-employed workers to receive the highest possible rate of pandemic unemployment payment, my Department will undertake five distinct calculations and base the individual’s rate on the one that is most financially advantageous to each customer. This will be achieved by undertaking an individual calculation of each customer’s rate based on their earnings from employment, self-employment and from a combination of both.

The functionality to facilitate this calculation is currently being developed and will be in place for the re-rating of the pandemic unemployment payment on the 17th of September. At that point anyone who is on the reduced rate of Pandemic Unemployment Payment since June and would be better off under this calculation will receive the benefit of the new calculation backdated to the rate change introduced in June.

A self-employed person must have suffered a reduction in their trading income to the extent that they are available to take up other full-time work. This allows some limited scope for a self-employed person to engage in once-off or emergency work and still retain eligibility for the pandemic unemployment payment. This is essentially occasional, irregular or isolated events and where there is a clear divergence from previous employment patterns. Where a self-employed individual has regular employment or it generates significant income, then they should close their Pandemic Unemployment Payment as they do not satisfy the conditions for the payment. In cases of doubt, an individual should contact their local Intreo Centre for clarification on the matter.

The pandemic unemployment payment is closed for new applications from 17th September. Where a person loses employment after the 17th September they may be eligible for support under the jobseekers schemes depending on their circumstances.

Jobseekers Benefit is a social insurance based income support for people who have suffered a substantial loss of employment and satisfy the other conditions of the scheme. If a person does not qualify for Jobseekers Benefit they may be eligible for means tested Jobseekers Allowance. Jobseekers Benefit Self- employed is available for self- employed people who are no longer trading. A person in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment may take up employment but they must be unemployed for at least 4 days in 7 consecutive days to be eligible for a payment and continue to satisfy the other qualifying conditions of the schemes. The maximum weekly rate for the jobseekers schemes is €203 and increases may also be paid for any qualifying adults and children.

Any person who is experiencing financial hardship may access assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme including Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments. Information on the supports available under this scheme is available at www.gov.ie.

On 14 August I announced that applications have opened for the Enterprise Support Grant. The Enterprise Support Grant previously supported entrepreneurs who were setting up new enterprises but has now been revamped to specifically provide once-off supports for self-employed people who have been severely impacted and have had to cease operations as a result of the Pandemic. The grant of up to €1000 is designed to help the self- employed small business owners who transition from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment to re-open their business. It will be payable to self-employed micro enterprises that are not eligible for support from the COVID 19 Business Restart Grant or other similar business reopening grants. A person must apply for the Enterprise Support Grant within 4 weeks of closing their Pandemic Unemployment Payment claim. Details on the application process to access this grant is available on www.gov.ie.

I note that the Minister for Transport will reply directly to you regarding the specific transport issues mentioned. Matters in relation to loan repayments, debt write off and taxation should be referred to the Minister for Finance.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

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