Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
698. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the feasibility of a basic income for artists and performers will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15919/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhere an artist or performer has lost their employment as a consequence of the pandemic they may avail of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment at this time.
The main social welfare schemes for unemployed people are the jobseeker’s allowance and jobseekers benefit schemes which provide income support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative full-time employment. A person must be fully unemployed for 4 days in 7 consecutive days to qualify for either scheme. They must also satisfy other conditions such as being available for and genuine seeking full time employment and in the case of jobseekers benefit entitlement a person must have sufficient PRSI contributions paid. If a person does not meet the contribution condition for jobseekers benefit they may be eligible for means tested jobseekers allowance. There is also the option of Jobseekers Benefit for the self-employed where the person has ceased trading.
The Professional Artist Scheme under jobseekers allowance, which was developed in consultation with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, is a mechanism to assist self-employed artists who are temporarily in need of additional income support but wish to continue as a professional artist. 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 jobseekers payments.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to request the Low Pay Commission to examine Universal Basic Income, so any proposals on that issue will be addressed in that context.
