Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
568. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a self-employed recipient of the pandemic unemployment payment, such as a taxi driver, can work and continue to receive the payment; the stage in their gross earnings at which their payment will be affected; the way in which such a payment might be reduced depending on their earnings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36287/20]
View answer569. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps a taxi driver needs to take if the or she is considering returning to work and if he or she presently receive the pandemic unemployment payment specifically; if he or she should notify her Department, the NTA or another authority if he or she wishes to resume work; if his or her payments will be affected immediately by this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36288/20]
View answer576. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment will be reinstated for businesses in circumstances (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36439/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 568, 569 and 576 together.
Details of the range of supports, including the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, available for the self-employed at this time are available on the Government's website at www.gov.ie/covid19selfemployed.
As provided for in the recent Budget, where a self -employed recipient of the pandemic unemployment payment, such as a taxi driver, is considering returning to work they may earn up to €480 over a rolling four week period and continue to maintain entitlement to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
The €480 limit is based on gross income, before tax and PRSI, minus expenses. This measure is already in place. A self-employed person does not need to seek approval from the Department and they do not need to report these earnings to the Department on a regular basis. They do need to keep a record of all income for the period.
Where this threshold is exceeded and a self- employed person works up to 24 hours per week they may be eligible for support under the Part Time Job Incentive scheme which, as part of Budget 2021, has been extended to the self-employed who transition from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. The weekly rate of payment for a person transferring from the Pandemic Unemployment payment is €128.60.
A person also has the option of applying for means tested jobseeker's allowance where they are engaged in regular employment, depending on their individual circumstances. The maximum weekly personal rate is €203 and increases may be paid for qualifying adults and children.
A self-employed person may also be eligible for support under my Department’s COVID-19 Enterprise Support Grant which provides support of up to €1,000 with business re-start costs where a person transitions from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment back into employment.
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme remains open for new applications until the end of the year. The scheme will continue to be kept under review with consideration given to the public health situation.
I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.
