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.