Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
466. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of meetings she has had with businesses, workers, and representatives of the events industry since July 2020; and the dates of each meeting. [43288/21]
View answerI have met with the Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland (MEAI) on two occasions since July 2020. These were on the 4th August 2020 and 23rd August 2021.
I have been in touch with representatives of the MEAI on an informal basis as well as writing to them and to others who have made representations on their behalf.
Through my engagement with MEAI, I worked to introduce a specific provision which allows self-employed workers in the music and entertainment industry to earn €960 over 8 weeks while still retaining their PUP payment.
I recently deferred the transition of workers previously in receipt of the €203 rate of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment to standard Jobseeker’s terms until after 22nd October 2021 in response to the concerns of the entertainment industry.
I assigned a specific point of contact in my Department at official level to liaise with MEAI and help them with any queries that arise on behalf of their members in relation to social welfare payments. In addition, a dedicated mailbox was put in place to deal with customer queries from the sector.
