Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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142. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to immediately reinstate the full rate per week of the employment wage subsidy scheme and pandemic unemployment payment payments to those persons employed in the events and entertainment industry until they are allowed to return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25711/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been extended until 31st March 2020 and will support sectors facing extended periods of closure, including the events and entertainment sector. I have also secured approval to keep the scheme open to new applicants until the end of the year.

Of the approximately 206,300 people in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment this week some 5,800, or 2.8%, are members of the arts, entertainment and recreation sector. This represents a 59% reduction from 14,200 claimants in that sector at the peak in May.

From 17 September the pandemic unemployment payment will be paid at three rates. Individuals whose prior earnings were €300 or over per week will receive a payment of €300 per week. A rate of €250 will apply to those who earned between €200 and €300 and the rate of €203 remains unchanged for those with prior earnings of less than €200. My Department is advising recipients of the changes in rate and setting out the basis for the decision in each case.

These new rates will apply to all recipients. I do not think it would be fair to make exceptions for those who had previously worked in the events and entertainment sector, while applying the changes to the majority of recipients who have worked in other sectors.

I trust this clarifies the position.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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143. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment will affect the determination of average weekly earnings for PRSI-based social welfare payments, for example, jobseeker’s benefit when 2020 is the relevant tax year, for example, in 2022. [25744/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Act 2020 put the pandemic unemployment payment on a statutory basis since 5th August and ensures that people who lost their jobs, or were temporarily laid-off, as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic shall be deemed to have made an employment contribution in line with that which they would have made if they had remained in employment.

This means that people who lost their jobs on foot of the public health crisis will not lose out in accessing social insurance benefits subject to satisfying the statutory conditionality for the particular scheme. The specific details as to how these contributions could impact on average weekly earnings for PRSI based social welfare payments in 2022 will require detailed consideration by my Department and any necessary measures will be put in place at that time.

I trust this clarifies the position at this time.