Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
683. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of taxi drivers and PSV licence holders currently in receipt of the Covid-19 payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10425/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra684. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will maintain the Covid-19 pandemic payment for taxi drivers until the industry recovers but allow drivers to top-up their income by doing some work without losing the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10426/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 683 and 684 together.
The COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment was introduced as an emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. Self-employed people must have experienced a collapse of income and be available to take up other full-time work if it was available to them in order to qualify. Government has announced the continuation of this payment until 10th August which provides financial certainty as we move further, and at a faster pace that expected, towards re-opening our society.
Where a self-employed person does not qualify for this emergency payment they can apply for a jobseekers payment. If a person's business has ceased trading they can avail of jobseekers benefit (self-employed) which I introduced in late 2019. If a person’s business is operating at a reduced level they may be eligible to apply for support under the means tested jobseekers allowance scheme.
Where a person is experiencing financial hardship they can apply for other financial support through the means tested supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
I am advised that my Department does not have detailed industry breakdowns of the number of people in receipt of the COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment such as taxi drivers or PSV licence holders. However, recipients are categorized under a number of broader sectors. Taxi drivers are categorized as being in the Transportation and Storage sector and the number of people in this sector in receipt of the COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment since 2 June 2020 is 16,200.
I trust that this clarifies the situation.
