Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
922. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person over 66 years of age who runs a business as a self-employed person and currently does not qualify for a PUP payment can avail of the employment support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33345/20]
View answerAs announced in the July Stimulus package, the enterprise support grant was extended to assist eligible self-employed individuals who exit the Pandemic Unemployment Payment or jobseekers schemes after 18th May 2020 to re-start their business which was closed due to the impact of the pandemic. The Pandemic Unemployment Payment, similar to existing jobseekers supports, is payable to people of working age up to age 66 years.
Small business owners who may not qualify for this grant as they were not eligible for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, including those over age 66 years, may be eligible for alternativesupports from the Department of Business, under the Micro-Enterprise Assistance.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
