Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy raised a number of issues. Work is ongoing on the disability allowance, the blind pension and the basic income for artists. There is a principle in social protection, and this applies to the widow's pension and illness benefit. The principle is that a person gets one payment. Our job in the Department is always to keep people out of poverty and to provide supports when they need it. We do not pay two supports. During the pandemic, retired people who were receiving a pension could not get the PUP, even though they were working. The principle on which that is based is that we do not give two social welfare payments.

Deputy Kerrane raised the case of a person who is terminally ill seeking the fuel allowance. I will look at that if she sends me the details of the case.

The principle of not getting two payments applies to illness benefit in the same way as the widow's pension, but if a person is in hardship the case will be considered. Deputy Kerrane should send the details of the case to me.

I will ask the officials to look at the issues the Deputy raises on the pilot scheme for artists. It is being worked on currently and there is consultation between the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, Gaeltacht and Media and my Department. The Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, is driving the initiative. I did try to introduce something for artists when I was Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. It was art assist and it was based on the same principle as the farm assist payment. We made up the difference when a person was not working. The scheme the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, Gaeltacht and Media is examining now is an enhanced one and my Department is happy to work with her to see how we can help artists that contribute significantly to society and to our culture and identity. It is important to do that, as we missed live performance and all the wonderful entertainment we receive in this country so much during Covid. I am happy to look at that. I hope that is okay.