The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced as an emergency measure in the exceptional circumstances of Covid-19 to provide financial support to employees including the self -employed, directly impacted by the Covid-19 public health measures mandated by the Government. To date expenditure on the scheme is almost €8.86 billion.
The number of customers supported by PUP has fallen each week from a peak of over 600,000 in 2020 to just over 90,600 last week as more employments and businesses are able reopen due to the gradual lifting of restrictions and successful roll-out of the vaccine programme. On 22 October Government approved the easing of further restrictions, but with caution, given the concerning number of Covid-19 cases. As we continue to gradually reopen the economy it is important in the interest of fairness and sustainability to restore standard Jobseeker payments in a controlled and considered manner.
In line with the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan, the rate of PUP is changing using a tapered approach from September 2021 until February 2022 to align it with standard jobseeker’s payments. Further rate changes will take place from 16th November 2021 and 8th February 2022. As PUP customers move on to the €203 rate, they will be transitioned to standard jobseeker terms.
Having listened to sectors including those working in the performing arts sector, I deferred the commencement of the transition process which was due to start at the beginning of September until after all sectors were able to start to reopen after 22 October.
My Department has written to customers currently receiving the €203 rate of payment to advise that they will continue to receive PUP until 9th November and will then have the option of qualifying for a Jobseeker payment if they are eligible. The maximum personal rate for the Jobseeker schemes is also €203 per week.
I have also announced as part of Budget 2022 that the core weekly rates of Jobseeker payments will increase by €5 per week from January 2022 with proportionate increased rates for qualifying adults and children.
A self-employed artist exiting the PUP scheme and who is working in their business for up to 24 hours per week may apply for the Part Time Job Incentive for Self -employed. Recipients receive a payment of €128.60 per week and there is no income limit applied.
Alternatively, a self- employed person who is trading at a reduced level may be eligible for support under the means tested Jobseeker's Allowance Scheme subject to satisfying the statutory scheme conditions. The scheme for self-employed artists under 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, but all other scheme conditions apply.
Furthermore, 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 their 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 an earlier reopening of their business in 2020.
The Arts and Culture Taskforce made a recommendation in October 2020 to introduce a pilot basic income scheme for artists. This was reflected in the National Economic Recovery Plan. Budget 2022 included the announcement of €25 million to pilot a new Basic Income Guarantee scheme for artists and arts workers. My colleague the Minister for Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has lead responsibility for this initiative. Her Department is examining the various options associated with introducing a pilot basic income scheme for artists and this is being overseen by the Arts and Culture Recovery Oversight Group. My Department is actively engaging in this process through both the Oversight Group and the associated technical sub-group.
Significant sectoral stakeholder engagement will take place in the coming weeks to inform the pilot scheme, and ensure that it meets the needs of the sector. Once that engagement is complete, details will be finalised and announced, with a likely pilot launch in early 2022.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy at this time.
