Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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128. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the Covid-19 supports available for taxi drivers from her Department; if there are plans to extend or expand these supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25424/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced by my Department for qualifying employees and  self-employed individuals who lost employment due to Covid-19.  To date, expenditure on the scheme is approximately €7.5 billion.

The support is available across all sectors, including taxi drivers, many of whom are self-employed.  

A self- employed individual may earn income from self- employment up to €960 net of expenses, over a rolling 8 week period payment and retain entitlement to PUP.  Where they exceed this threshold, they may qualify for a weekly payment of €128.60 under the Part Time Job Incentive scheme which has been extended to the self-employed who work up to 24 hours per week.

Individuals exiting PUP to restart their business may qualify for my Department’s Enterprise Support Grant.  The grant provides up to €1,000 to assist with reopening costs and can be used towards fuel and insurance costs.  The grant is payable to qualifying individuals who employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from similar reopening grants, from other Departments.  Over 9,000 businesses have been supported with €8.4m awarded under this grant to date.  One of the main sectors supported is the transport sector, accounting for almost one third of the grants approved.  

Government will set out plans for the future of the Covid-19 supports over the coming weeks. taking account of the trajectory of the virus, progress on the vaccine roll out, progress in terms of people returning to work and the continued impact of the pandemic on the economy over the months ahead.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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131. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the eligibility for non-rateable premises for Covid-19 supports under her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16745/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department is mainly responsible for income supports for individuals, including the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) introduced in response to Covid-19.  My colleague, the Minister for  Enterprise Trade and Employment has primary responsibility for supports for businesses.

In terms of Covid support for businesses, self employed Individuals exiting the PUP to restart their business may qualify for my Department’s Enterprise Support Grant.  The once-off grant provides up to €1,000 to assist small business, who are not liable for commercial rates, with reopening costs.  The grant is payable to qualifying individuals who employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from similar reopening grants from other Departments.  To date, over 9,000 businesses have been supported under this grant at a cost of some €8.4m.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.