Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Questions (561, 562)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

561. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she had made or will make representations to the Minister for Social Protection to alert the Department to the potential damage that the recategorisation of pandemic unemployment payment recipients in the music and entertainment sectors as jobseeker's payments and the cutting of their supports will have on the sector; if she was consulted on the proposed cuts and changes; and the measures she plans to take to mitigate this damage. [40716/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

562. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the potential for workers in the music and entertainment sector who receive a few days' work through the live performance support scheme being expected or required to give up their only guaranteed stable support of the pandemic unemployment payment, if the funds they receive through the live performance support scheme results in them earning more than the allowed €960 over an eight week period was factored into the design of the live performance support scheme; if she has raised this with the Minister for Social Protection; and the measures she plans to take to stop workers in the sector from being discouraged from taking up opportunities under the live performance support scheme as a result. [40718/21]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I propose to take Questions Nos. 561 and 562 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection. The PUP is a horizontal support and as such cannot be amended on a sectoral basis. The PUP is now closed for new applications and, as part of the Government's National Economic Recovery Plan, the payment will continue for those already in receipt of PUP. From September there will be changes to the rate of payments as the Minister for Social Welfare has recently announced.

I am however, aware anecdotally that some grant recipients of the LPSS have indicated they are finding it challenging to secure staff for events they are planning. However, the vast majority of recipients are currently planning their events and my Department has received many requests for pre-funding from successful applicants who will be delivering events in the coming weeks. It should be noted that grantees have until the end of September to hold the events.

The PUP is flexible in that recipients can earn up to €960 in an eight week period and still retain their benefits.

Question No. 562 answered with Question No. 561.