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

I thank Deputy Sherlock for raising this matter. As he is aware, the Government has decided that from 17 September, the pandemic unemployment payment will be paid at three rates linked to a person's pre-Covid employment earnings. Individuals whose prior earnings were €300 or more per week will receive a payment of €300 per week. A rate of €250 will apply to those who previously earned between €200 and €300 per week and the rate of €203 remains unchanged for those who had prior earnings of less than €200 per week.

For people on the new rate of €250 per week, the payment will equate to between 83% and 125% of prior earnings and, on average, 105% of prior earnings. One of the reasons it is necessary to recalibrate the PUP is so that we can extend its availability while being mindful of the cost to the State. While we can borrow money now, ultimately these borrowings will have to be repaid by young and future generations of workers. The income related rates of payment are a fair and equitable way to make the necessary adjustments and facilitate the extension of the scheme to the end of March next year. My Department is advising those people affected of these rate changes and is setting out for them the basis for the decision in each case.

The PUP has been extended until end of March 2021 and will continue to provide support to workers from sectors facing extended periods of closure, including the entertainment industry. I have also secured approval to keep the scheme open to new applicants until the end of the year. This means that anyone who loses their employment over the coming months, including those who may have returned to work but may be affected by new restrictions, will be able to avail of the support. These new rates will apply to all recipients and it would not be fair to make exceptions for those who had previously worked in the arts or entertainment sector, while applying the changes to more than 97% of recipients who have worked in other sectors.

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Finally, my Department has put in place a mailbox dedicated to the sector for individual artists to raise queries directly with the Department at artistspup@welfare.ie. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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