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Social Welfare Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Questions (1104, 1152, 1158)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

1104. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if those transitioning from the pandemic unemployment payment to a jobseeker’s payment will have to comply with the rules in relation to seeking work while in receipt of jobseeker’s; if so, the way this will work for those in the arts sector or for taxi drivers who are not unemployed but will be treated as such while in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39316/21]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1152. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the fairness and legality of her plans to transition workers in the music and entertainment industry from September 2021 from being pandemic unemployment payment recipients to jobseeker’s, despite them having jobs already that they are not allowed to do due to Government restrictions; if these workers will be targeted by job activation schemes once jobseeker's; if this change in status will mean music and entertainment workers will be required to seek employment outside of that sector and leave those jobs in order to receive basic income supports; and the research that has been conducted into the devastating harm this move could have on Ireland’s music and entertainment sector in the medium and long- term. [40714/21]

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Mattie McGrath

Question:

1158. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a series of matters in relation to Covid-19 supports (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40743/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1104, 1152 and 1158 together.

The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced as an emergency measure for qualifying employees and self employed people who lost their employment as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic. To date expenditure on PUP is approximately €8.3 billion.

The requirement for emergency measures is diminishing as more and more people return to work as restrictions are gradually lifted. Government announced changes to PUP including a transitional approach to its withdrawal on a tapered basis over 6 months. From 7th September 2021 the rate will begin to be gradually reduced on a phased basis in increments of €50 per week. Two further phases of rate changes are scheduled to take place from 16th November 2021 and 8th of February 2022. As PUP recipients go on to the €203 rate in each phase, they will be transitioned to standard jobseeker terms.

Arrangements will continue for self-employed PUP recipients, including taxi drivers and those who work in the arts sector, to take up some limited self-employment. A person can earn up to €960 over an eight week period and maintain their full PUP - this figure is net of expenses. I was pleased to introduce this provision to support artists following engagement with the sector last year. Furthermore, if a self-employed person takes up limited self-employment of up to 24 hours per week they can retain income support under the Part Time Job Incentive and a single person will be paid €128.60 per week. There is no income limit applied in these cases. The extension of the Part Time Job Incentive to self employed people will continue until the end of the current year.

The €1,000 Covid-19 Enterprise Support Grant to assist self-employed people to restart their business will continue to be available to self-employed people closing PUP claims until the end of 2021. A self-employed person closing their PUP claim to reopen their business will be able to avail of this grant even if they have previously claimed it as part of a reopening in 2020.

The Deputy should be aware that the scheme for self-employed artists on Jobseeker’s Allowance is open to professionals from a wide range of artistic disciplines. The artists on the scheme are exempt from participating in the normal labour market activation activities for a period of 12 months; however, all other scheme conditions apply.

I can assure the Deputy that the staff of the Department of Social Protection will take a sensible, common sense approach, as they have done throughout the pandemic, and there is absolutely no expectation that artists will be required to look for work in other sectors.

I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.

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