Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
533. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by a group of self-employed businesses (details supplied) which are unable to access supports for their businesses with the exception of the pandemic unemployment payment; if existing supports will be made available to the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25244/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has extended the Pandemic Unemployment Payment until the end of March 2021 to support employees and businesses who continue to be impacted by the on-going public health restrictions. I have also secured approval to keep the scheme open to new applicants until the end of the year. This payment in addition to other existing supports are available to the sector referred to by the Deputy.
To be eligible for the pandemic unemployment payment a self-employed person must have suffered a reduction in their trading income to the extent that they are available to take up other full-time work. This allows some scope for a self-employed person to engage in once-off or emergency work and still retain their payment unless it becomes regular work or it generates significant income. The once off or emergency work should be infrequent or occasional work and show clear divergence from previous work patterns.
Where a person is engaged in regular employment they may be eligible for a jobseekers payment depending on their personal circumstances. A person in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment may take up employment but they must be unemployed for at least 4 days in 7 consecutive days to be eligible for a payment and continue to satisfy the other qualifying conditions of the schemes.
The Enterprise Support Grant has also been extended to provide once-off supports for self-employed people who have been severely impacted and have had to cease operations as a result of the pandemic. The grant of up to €1000 is designed to help the self- employed small business owners who transition from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment to re-open their business and who do not qualify for other business re-start grants from other Government Departments. Further information and the application process to access this grant is available on www.gov.ie.
I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.
