PUP should not be cut in September, says Sinn Fein’s Mitchell

The Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has been called on to reverse the decision to cut the the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) on September 7.

Dublin Bay North TD Denise Mitchell (SF) says that almost 150,000 people still rely on the payment as a means of income.

“It is clear that the pandemic is not over.

“New figures published today have revealed that 149,000 people are still receiving the PUP as many workers are still unable to return to work as their sectors remain closed under public health restrictions.

“The government is insisting on ploughing ahead with planned cuts to the PUP on 7th September.

“The cuts to the PUP and the plan to transition people from the PUP to Jobseekers on the 7th September must be scrapped.

“These cuts are punishing people who cannot return to work and will hit young workers hardest,” she said.

Deputy Mitchell says people who work in sectors that have not yet reopened are still entitled to the full payment.

“For many workers, their PUP will be slashed by €50 per week.

“For others, their income will plummet even further if they are transitioned to the Jobseeker’s rate.

“The government’s planned cuts are a slap in the face for those who are employed in sectors that have not yet been given a date for re-opening.

“We need fairness. The rules should be fair for everyone and they need to be informed by public health advice while working for a safe re-opening of all sectors,” she said.

“This government has badly let down the live entertainment sector, by failing to engage with the industry and be upfront about the sector’s future.

“While sectors remain closed, the incomes of those who worked in those sectors must be protected.

“I am calling on Minister Heather Humphreys to urgently cancel the cuts to the PUP that she is planning to implement from 7th September.”