Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021
426. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that artists and arts workers are supported through the pandemic unemployment payment until mass gatherings are permitted again and cultural events can take place at full capacity; if the pandemic unemployment payment will be restored to €350 for the arts and events sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47787/21]
View answer432. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the terms on which the pandemic unemployment payment is being gradually withdrawn from those eligible as workers and for those eligible as self-employed; and if it is intended to review these terms as the progress of reopening and recovery evolves. [47535/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 426 and 432 together.
I am aware of concerns that have been raised regarding the pace of recovery for the arts sector. However, the position is that the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is an economy wide support. The objective of EWSS is to support all employment and to maintain the link between the employer and employee insofar as is possible. The scheme is open to all businesses, provided the business meets the requisite conditions of the scheme. It provides a flat-rate subsidy to qualifying employers based on the numbers of paid and eligible employees on the employer’s payroll and charges a reduced rate of employer PRSI of 0.5% on wages paid which are eligible for the subsidy payment.
The EWSS has been a key component of the Government’s response to the continued Covid-19 crisis to support viable firms and encourage employment in the midst of these very challenging times. To date, payments of over €4.9 billion and PRSI credit of almost €784 million have been granted to 51,500 employers in respect of over 664,700 workers.
I have been clear that there will be no cliff-edge to the EWSS and, as the Deputy will be aware from announcements made in June, it has been decided that the scheme is now to be extended until the end of December 2021. For Q3 2021, the Government has decided to broadly maintain the status quo for EWSS, including the enhanced rates of support, with a modification to widen eligibility, and maintaining the reduced rate of Employers’ PRSI of 0.5%.
Further, as announced Tuesday 28th September, the Government has agreed that there will be no change to the EWSS for the month of October 2021, which means that the scheme will continue to operate in its current form as per the arrangements for Q3 2021. Issues around the configuration of the EWSS beyond October are currently being considered and full details will be announced on Budget Day, 12 October 2021.
I would also note that the Government have put in place a range of measures to support people and businesses most affected by the financial shock of the pandemic, including the arts and cultural sector. The Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) and Tourism Business Continuity scheme have also been established in order to support those businesses most at risk. Other schemes which have been established include the Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS) and the Music Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS), both of which are targeted at supporting the commercial live performance sector. Details of the supports are available on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s website at the following link - enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/ .
The Government remains fully committed to supporting businesses and employers insofar as is possible at this time.
