Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 May 2018
26. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her role in the welfare of actors and persons in the arts who are having difficulty accessing social protection due to the nature of their employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10155/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is accepted that periods of unemployment are a normal feature of the acting and artistic professions. The main social welfare schemes available from my Department for unemployed persons are the jobseeker’s allowance and benefit schemes which provide income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative full-time employment. Both schemes provide significant support to individuals so that they can work up to 3 days a week and still retain access to a reduced jobseeker’s payment.
The current days-based system can provide additional income supports to jobseekers including actors who are casually employed or working part-time. For instance an individual can earn a little over €20,190 per year and still retain a small jobseeker's allowance payment, while the equivalent threshold for an individual with a qualified adult is almost €34,700 if they are both working. My Department also operates a fast-tracking process for customers who sign-off on their jobseeker’s allowance or jobseeker’s benefit claim to take up work for a period of up to 12 weeks. In these cases, the claim is not closed.
Rather, payment is suspended temporarily for the duration of the work or training course. When the person signs on again after the period of work or training, the claim can be reactivated without delay and payment restored.
In addition, my Department’s Intreo service now provides a more focussed service to those in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment.
