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Important PUPupdate. As you prob know the PUP scheme is closed to New Applicants on 17Sept i.e next week. I asked @welfare_ie about people who were on the PUP on/ before 17Sept - & who come off for sporadic work - say a festival/show, & who try to get back on it 1/4 #PUPdate
They replied just now as follows: "Hello Peter, they will be treated like a new applicant and will need to make an application for Jobseekers then instead. " 2/4 #PUPdate
This is going to be impossible for Artists/Arts Workers who get the odd day/week/month's work - as venues/companies/festivals try to put work on despite lockdowns. They will be forced to weigh up a small amount of pay AGAINST guaranteed income until 1 April. 3/3 #PUPdate
I feel it will discourage work–shows/festivals/etc-the opposite of what is needed now. Both for Artists/Arts Workers–& the wider public. I urge @HHumphreysFG @cathmartingreen to work with @Campaign4Arts @IrishEquity @TheatreForumIE to reconsider this situation. Please RT. 4/4
And just to be absolutely clear - everyone wants to be working. (I am getting emails from lots of people-EVERYONE) But who would take a 2 week job for (let's face it) not huge money, in the knowledge that they might not pick up any more work in the following months.
