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Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 October 2020

Thursday, 22 October 2020

Ceisteanna (115, 120)

Steven Matthews

Ceist:

115. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide clarity regarding the pandemic unemployment payment amendments announced in Budget 2021; if a person in receipt of this payment was fortunate enough to earn over the €480 in one month for any reason, the knock on implications for their PUP payment. [32088/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul McAuliffe

Ceist:

120. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the date at which self-employed persons receiving the PUP payment can earn up to €480 will be operational. [32115/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 120 together.

Budget 2021 provides that recipients engaging in self-employment can earn up to €480 over a four week period and continue to maintain entitlement to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.  The €480 limit is based on gross income, before tax and PRSI, minus expenses.  This measure applies with immediate effect.

Where a self-employed individual exceeds the earnings threshold and is engaging in regular limited self-employment, access to the Part-Time Job Incentive has been extended to those who transition from the Pandemic Unemployment payment.  Under this scheme, a self-employed person receiving the Pandemic Unemployment, for at least 16 weeks, can engage in self-employment for up to 24 hours per week and retain a personal weekly rate of payment of €128.60.  A self-employed jobseeker with a qualified adult can be paid €209.70 per week.

Another option open to a self-employed person who is engaged in regular employment but trading on a limited basis is the means tested jobseeker's allowance scheme.

A self-employed person may also be eligible for support under the COVID-19 Enterprise Support Grant which provides support of up to €1,000 with business re-start costs where a person transitions from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment back into employment.  Budget 2021 has provided that this support will be extended until 2021. Further information on this grant is available on www.gov.ie.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputies. 

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