Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
562. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if flexibility can be afforded to freelance and short-term workers with regard to eligibility for the pandemic unemployment payment in recognition of the disruptive financial impact of Covid-19 on employees on short-term annual contracts who are often not covered by the payment eligibility criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12551/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is available to employees and self-employed persons who have lost employment as a direct consequence of COVID-19. To date expenditure on the PUP scheme is over €6.2 billion.
There is some flexibility under PUP which provides that a self-employed person can take up limited employment and retain PUP, whereby they can earn up to €960 over a previous 8 week period. Where a self-employed person exceeds this threshold, they may apply for the Part-Time Job Incentive for the self- employed scheme which enables a person who has been in receipt of the PUP to engage in self-employment for up to 24 hours per week and receive a personal weekly rate of payment of €128.60.
Where a person does not qualify for PUP and is unemployed for 4 days in 7 consecutive days, they may be eligible for a jobseeker payment.
If the Deputy has a specific case, she should forward the details to the Department to determine the appropriate support that may be available to them.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
