Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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165. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will respond to a call by performers and crew in the live entertainment industry to retain the pandemic unemployment payment and to provide other supports and grants for those in that sector that are uncertain as to when they will return to work in view of social distancing rules; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17545/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The COVID 19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as a time-limited emergency measure in response to the pandemic and approval was given to the extension of this payment until 10th August. The Government is aware that there are certain sectors which will be affected by business closures longer than others and the confirmation that this payment will be available until early August provides financial certainty to people affected at this time. The Government has set employment recovery as its top priority and the July jobs stimulus package will assist people back into work. Any further changes to the pandemic unemployment payment will be considered in that context.

Changes were also announced to the structure of the pandemic unemployment payment which means that it continues to be a strong support but is also fair and targeted. Payment is now linked to prior earnings. If a recipient’s gross weekly earnings were €200 or higher then there is no change to their rate of payment. If a person’s gross weekly earnings were under €200 then the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment will be adjusted to €203 which is in line with the standard personal rate of Jobseeker's Benefit. Where a person is self-employed their gross average weekly income for 2018 is used to calculate the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment, the last tax year for which verifiable data on self-employed income is available.

A self-employed person who is continuing to operate their business at a reduced level may be eligible for support under the jobseeker's allowance payment.

The Enterprise Support Grant has recently been extended and will be made available to small business owners who transition from the pandemic unemployment payment to re-open their business. The grant, of up to €1,000, will be payable to self-employed micro enterprises which employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from the COVID 19 Business Restart Grant or other similar business reopening grants. The Department is developing the systems to put it into effect and will communicate how to access the grant in the coming weeks.

Any person who is experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for other financial supports under the means-tested supplementary welfare allowance scheme including an Exceptional or Urgent Needs payment where the need is demonstrated. Information on the supports available under this scheme is available at www.gov.ie.

I trust that this clarifies the position for you.