Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
510. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the part-time job incentive scheme for the self-employed; if it will continue beyond the end of the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11318/22]
View answerThe Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was one of the key measures introduced on 15 March 2020 to cushion the impact on incomes as a direct consequence of the Government mandated public health measures. To date expenditure on the scheme is over €9.1 billion.
Flexibility has been provided to the self-employed to take up and receive payment for occasional or intermittent self-employment work while retaining their PUP. This measure has assisted people to maintain their business during the pandemic and provides that a person can earn up to €960 from self-employment over a previous eight week period.
As a temporary measure in response to the pandemic, the Part Time Job Incentive, which was previously limited to employees only, was also made available to the self-employed. The extension of the scheme to the self-employed is targeted at a situation where a self-employed person exceeds the €960 earnings threshold, having been in receipt of PUP. It is intended to support those re-opening their business, but who due to the pandemic could only do so intermittently or on a limited or reduced basis.
The scheme supports those working up to a maximum of 24 hours per week and provides a partial payment while retaining employment income. The rate of payment is a flat personal rate of €131.80. There is no income limit applied. The scheme is supporting approximately 1,300 self-employed.
In line with the gradual lifting of restrictions, the PUP has been closed for applications since 22nd January 2022 and the process of winding down the scheme continues. With effect from 8 March 2022, anyone still in receipt of the PUP will move to a weekly rate of €208. This represents a four-week extension on what had previously been arranged. PUP recipients will start transitioning to standard jobseeker terms, and if eligible, will move onto a jobseeker payment from 5 April 2022.
It is intended that the Part Time Job Incentive scheme for the self-employed will run for as long as the PUP scheme is in operation.
I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.
