Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 January 2023
127. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection how income is assessed for a self-employed professional artist on the professional artists on jobseeker's allowance scheme who wins a commission or Arts Council award; and how it affects their entitlement to the professional artists' on jobseeker's allowance scheme. [3738/23]
View answerThe Professional Artist Scheme under the Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme is an initiative of the all-of-Government Creative Ireland Programme. The scheme acknowledges the status of self-employed artists in specified art forms and gives them a 12 month window to focus on building up their work before they became subject to labour market activation which is mandatory for most recipients of jobseeker's payments. The other conditions associated with Jobseeker’s Allowance, including a means test, continue to apply, as they do for all other claimants.
For a self-employed person the earnings from their business is assessed in the means test for Jobseeker’s Allowance. Earnings are assessed as gross income less work-related expenses.
Commissions and awards, as referred to by the Deputy, are considered income for Jobseeker's Allowance means testing purposes.
If the Deputy is aware of a specific case he should direct the person to their local Intreo Centre where they can outline their specific circumstances so that their position can be examined.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
