Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021
128. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the Covid-19 supports available for taxi drivers from her Department; if there are plans to extend or expand these supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25424/21]
View answerThe Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced by my Department for qualifying employees and self-employed individuals who lost employment due to Covid-19. To date, expenditure on the scheme is approximately €7.5 billion.
The support is available across all sectors, including taxi drivers, many of whom are self-employed.
A self- employed individual may earn income from self- employment up to €960 net of expenses, over a rolling 8 week period payment and retain entitlement to PUP. Where they exceed this threshold, they may qualify for a weekly payment of €128.60 under the Part Time Job Incentive scheme which has been extended to the self-employed who work up to 24 hours per week.
Individuals exiting PUP to restart their business may qualify for my Department’s Enterprise Support Grant. The grant provides up to €1,000 to assist with reopening costs and can be used towards fuel and insurance costs. The grant is payable to qualifying individuals who employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from similar reopening grants, from other Departments. Over 9,000 businesses have been supported with €8.4m awarded under this grant to date. One of the main sectors supported is the transport sector, accounting for almost one third of the grants approved.
Government will set out plans for the future of the Covid-19 supports over the coming weeks. taking account of the trajectory of the virus, progress on the vaccine roll out, progress in terms of people returning to work and the continued impact of the pandemic on the economy over the months ahead.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
