Written answers

Thursday, 3 December 2020

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

74. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will ensure that all workers from the performing arts and live entertainments industries including those who by the nature of their work are self-employed and who might have gaps or periods of unemployment between contracts and based upon such workers being certified by a reference from a relevant previous employer or cultural organisation here, are made eligible for full payment of the pandemic unemployment payment for the duration of the shutdown of live entertainments and artistic events due to Covid-19. [39983/20]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Government has agreed that the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) will continue in payment until end March 2021. This extension provides certainty to people, including those in the arts and entertainment sectors, that access to PUP remains available.

The rate of PUP is aligned with prior earnings. Since mid-October the €350 rate of PUP has been re-introduced for individuals with prior average weekly earnings of €400. Approximately 158,150, or 45% of the total in receipt of the support, are receiving the €350 rate.

In addition, the 2020 earnings reference period to determine the rate of PUP was extended from February to the end of September 2020. This measure benefitted over 37,400 recipients with increased payments since 17th November.

Budget 2021 provided measures for self-employed recipients of PUP including the introduction of an earnings threshold of €480 per month whereby a recipient can take up limited employment and retain PUP. Where a person exceeds this threshold and is engaging in regular limited self-employment of up to 24 hours per week, access to the Part-Time Job Incentive has been extended to those who transition from the PUP. Support may also be available under the COVID-19 Enterprise Support Grant which provides support of up to €1,000 with business re-start cost. Further information on these supports is available at www.gov.ie

Any further changes to PUP will be considered in the context of the trajectory of the pandemic and the public health concerns.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.