Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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89. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if clarity will be provided on the status of persons over 66 years of age and the enterprise support grant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18549/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Enterprise Support Grant is being extended to assist eligible self-employed recipients who are exiting the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme after 25th June 2020 to re-start their business.  The purpose of this grant is to assist self-employed individuals with the transition from the weekly Pandemic Unemployment Payment back to their self-employment.

The COVID 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to people aged between 18 and 66 years, and the age range is consistent with other jobseeker and social protection income supports paid to people of working age.  People aged 66 years and over are provided for within the Social Protection income support framework through the State Pension, either the contributory State pension based on PRSI contributions or the non-contributory means tested pension. 

Funding of €12 million has been provided for this grant and my Department is developing the systems to put this grant into effect and will communicate how to apply for the grant over the coming weeks.The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation are responsible for enterprise supports for businesses that have been impacted by the current pandemic. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.