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The pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) could be extended into next year, the Taoiseach suggested.
Micheál Martin also wants to employ artists and writers in schools as a way to support them during the pandemic and has asked Education Minister Norma Foley to look into this.
The PUP, which supports thousands of people who have not been able to return to work, expires at the end of March, however, Mr. Martin has noted that it will now be extended.
He said that the virus has affected low-income workers more than high-income workers and that follows from tax returns that are performing better than expected when Covid first hit.
But Mr. Martin said the government still has to do more.
“We have to recalibrate and the budget gives us the opportunity to re-analyze issues such as the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, we already changed it now so that it is available to new participants. That was going to close in terms of new participants, we have changed that.
“We are going to have to review some of this … about looking at a time frame over nine to 12 months, that’s very challenging for Paschal Donohoe and Michael McGrath, they are both struggling with this,” he told RTÉ. Brendan O’Connor show.
Until this week, the maximum PUP pay rate for those laid off due to the Covid-19 crisis was 350 euros per week. However, the rates have now been changed to € 300, € 250 and € 203 depending on how much a person previously earned.
Fianna Fáil TD colleague Barry Cowen called for the full restoration of the PUP for those who have now been laid off in the capital, which has now been placed on level three restrictions.
“Those who lose their jobs temporarily as a result of level three status should regain full PUP payment. Financial supports should be aligned at various levels recognizing the value of livelihoods in efforts to protect the most vulnerable,” he wrote Cowen in a tweet.
Those who lose their job temporarily as a result of Level 3 status must get their full PUP pay back. Financial support must be aligned at various levels, recognizing the value of livelihoods in efforts to protect the most vulnerable.
– Barry Cowen (@CowenBarry) September 19, 2020
Mr. Martin said that the Government will study sector-specific measures, especially around the arts and culture.
“I think we need to be more imaginative in the area of social protection, in terms of what I call the gig economy. You take sound engineers who would normally be freelancers who would have a lot of things, but now they could have two or three gigs in 10 days. They are afraid to leave PUP because they want sustainable income, we have to marry both, “he said.
The Taoiseach also said that they would like to create more opportunities for artists and creatives in schools.
“There are already very good schemes of resident artists in schools, writers, etc., I told Minister Norma Foley, ‘You are looking to increase that scheme of employing artists in schools.’
He said the children would benefit and he would keep the artists working, “so I’m also interested in looking for alternative types of employment.”
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