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VAI along with so many other people and organisations are making and reviewing decisions based on current government guidelines and will keep you updated on our website News section and with emails to our members.
We have outlined the official supports available during the crisis below.
The Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht have an Arts Unit that VAI members, artists and people in the arts sector in general who have questions about the Government supports available to them, can email their question to artsunit@chg.gov.ie and include a telephone number. The Arts Unit will try to respond to them by email or phone as soon as possible.
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Income Support Helpline for COVID -19 is 1890 800 024 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm).
For queries on all DEASP Schemes and other supports available contact Citizens Information 0761 07 4000.
Contact our VAI Help Desk at 01 6729488 and info@visualartists.ie
Official Supports Available during the COVID-19 Crisis
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Income Support Schemes
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Funding for Artists & Arts Organisations
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Primary References and Go to places for information
1. Income Support Schemes
COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to employees and the self-employed who have lost their job on or after 13 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. New applications for this payment will not be accepted after 17 September 2020.
You can apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment if you:
- are aged between 18 and 66 years old and
- are currently living in the Republic of Ireland and
- have lost your job due to the COVID-19 pandemic or
- have been temporarily laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic and
- worked in the Republic of Ireland or were a cross border frontier worker and
- are not in receipt of any employment income and
- are genuinely seeking work
- self-employed and your trading income has ceased due to COVID-19
- a non EU/EEA worker who has lost employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- a student (or a non-EU/EEA student) who has lost employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- living in Direct Provision and have lost employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- a part-time worker
You must inform the department if your circumstances change.
If you voluntarily left your employment or self-employment or do not meet the above criteria, you cannot claim the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
If you have been temporarily placed on a shorter working week, you may qualify for Short Time Work Support.
The department can confirm that there are no plans in place to share any data we receive as part of an immigrant’s application for a COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment with GNIB or the Department of Justice and Equality.
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is currently paid at 2 rates – depending on the amount you used to get paid:
- if you earned €200 per week or more – the rate of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is €350 per week
- if you earned less than €200 per week – you will receive €203 per week, which is the same as the primary rate of Jobseeker’s Benefit
You do not need to contact the department about your earnings. The department has access to this information from the Revenue Commissioners.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is paid in arrears, with the payment week running from Friday to Thursday.
Payment is made by electronic transfer (for example, into your bank or credit union account) and only into accounts held in Irish financial institutions. You can also choose to collect your payment at a post office.
You can nominate your local post office when applying online and you will need to bring a form of ID with you when collecting your payment at the post office. Payments will be made into a bank or credit union account or to a nominated post office every Tuesday once an application is processed.
If you were working and were also in receipt of any social welfare payment such as a Carer’s Payment, Working Family Payment (WFP) or One-Parent Family Payment, you can, provided you have lost your job due to COVID-19, also claim the COVID-19 emergency payment, in addition to retaining your existing welfare payment.
The COVID-19 Payment Unemployment Payment will replace your employment income and will be regarded by the department as equivalent to employment income.
If you have one adult and one or more dependant children, you should claim a Jobseeker’s Payment instead of the COVID-19 Pandemic Payment.
This is because you can claim an additional allowance for your adult dependant and child dependants, which will bring your weekly payment to in excess of the €350 weekly payment due under the emergency COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is continuing until April 2021.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be in place until April 2021. Payment rates will change on the 17 September 2020, 1 February 2021 and on 1 April 2021.
Apply
New applications for this payment will not be accepted after 17 September 2020.
The quickest and easiest way to apply for the emergency COVID-19 payment is online at mywelfare.ie.
All you need to apply for the payment is a basic MyGovID account. You do not need to make any appointments to apply – all you need is an email address and it only takes 2 minutes to sign up.
Once you’ve got the basic MyGovID account (or if you already have an existing MyGovID account), just click the button below to apply for this payment.
It is very important to fill in your bank details correctly – include your BIC and IBAN to avoid delays to your payments.
Appeals
If you think you have been wrongly refused the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, you can re-submit your application and send to:
COVID-19 Unemployment Payment (Appeals)
PO Box 12896
Dublin 1
You should include any additional information in support of your application.
Grants for self-employed people
If you are self-employed and have closed your COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, you may be able to get an Enterprise Support Grant of up to €1000. The grant is to help small business reopen. You must apply for the grant within 4 weeks of closing your COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment claim.
How to qualify
The Grant will be awarded to self-employed people who:
- are tax and PRSI compliant
- are not liable for commercial rates
- have been in receipt of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and have closed their claim on or after 18 May 2020
- have reopened their business which was closed due to the pandemic
- employ less than 10 people
- have an annual turnover of less than €1 million
- are not eligible for the COVID-19 Business Restart Grant or similar COVID-19 business restart grants from other government departments
- can produce VAT receipts/invoices in respect of business restart costs and expenses claimed, if requested to do so by the department
Funding will be awarded for eligible costs up to a maximum of €1,000.
Grants will be awarded on costs related to reopening your business, including:
- safety measures
- business advice or mentoring
- repairs
- fuel
- wages
Normal business costs are not generally included.
Complete the COVID-19 ESG 1 application form and return it to your local Intreo Centre.
You can find more information about supports for businesses impacted by COVID-19.
Enhanced Illness Benefit
If a worker is told to self-isolate or diagnosed with COVID-19, they can apply for a COVID-19 enhanced Illness Benefit payment of €350 per week.
Both employees and self-employed people can qualify for the COVID-19 enhanced Illness Benefit.
On 6 August 2020, the Government announced that workers who live in direct provision who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or who have been advised to self-isolate, can access the COVID-19 enhanced Illness Benefit.
If you are ill for another reason or self-isolating because you are medically vulnerable, you should apply for standard Illness Benefit.
You can read more about your employment rights during COVID-19 restrictions and social welfare payments and COVID-19.
Rules
You can apply for enhanced Illness Benefit, if you:
- Are suspected of having COVID-19 and are told by a doctor or the Health Service Executive (HSE) to self-isolate or
- Are diagnosed with COVID-19
To qualify for COVID-19 enhanced Illness Benefit, you must:
- Be aged between 18 and 66
- Have a medical certificate called a ‘Certificate of incapacity for work’ from a doctor or have a text or letter notification from the HSE to support your application
- Be employed or self-employed and have worked in the 4 weeks before the date of your medical certification
- Have a current contract of employment, if you are an employee
To get the payment, you must have a medical certificate called a ‘Certificate of incapacity for work’ from your own doctor or have a letter or text notification from the HSE telling you that you have been identified as having contact with someone who has COVID-19.
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 or if you are medically required to self-isolate, there are no waiting days for payment of enhanced Illness Benefit.
COVID-19 enhanced Illness Benefit is a temporary measure during the public health emergency. It will be in place until 31 March 2021.
Illness Benefit contact centre – (01) 704 3300 or 1890 928 400
For more see HERE.
Other Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Schemes
If you were unemployed before the pandemic you may apply for regular DEASP schemes. If you are employed or self employed but your hours working have been reduced rather than stopped you may be eligible for other DEASP income support schemes. Some schemes listed below. We recommend that you contact Citizens Information directly for advice on what scheme would be best for your situation, call them on 0761 074000.
- Jobeeker’s Allowance for Professional Artists – (self employed) – means tested. VAI can provide Professional Members with certificates to apply for this scheme.
- Jobseeker’s Benefit (for employees) – based on your PRSI contributions
- Jobseeker’s Benefit (self-employed) – based on PRSI contributions
- Jobseeker’s Allowance – (unemployed, not self employed) means tested
- Short time Work Support Payment (if your working hours are reduced to 3 days or less per week) – based on your PRSI contributions
Some further details can be found in this Update on payments awarded for COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and Enhanced Illness Benefit
2. Funding for Artists & Organisations
Arts Council
The Arts Council has a number of Grants and Awards schemes that are currently open for applications. These can be found on the Arts Council Website: artscouncil.ie/available-funding/
Arts Council Professional Development Award 2020
The purpose of the Professional Development Award is to support practicing artists and arts practitioners to upskill through access to a professional development or training opportunity.
Applicants can propose a specific once-off training or developmental opportunity. This can be accessed digitally or in person, in-line with COVID-19 guidelines. Examples might include:
- Creative development supports, such as participation in workshops, specialist courses, master classes, research projects, residencies, coaching/mentoring, attendance at conferences/seminars
- Career development supports, such as strategic and/or financial planning, promotional, presentation or digital skills, proposal writing
The proposal may be to work with an individual or organisation based in Ireland or abroad.
Full guidelines and application form here: artscouncil.ie/Funds/Professional-Development-Award/
*** Visual Artists Ireland Lifelong Learning Programme is eligible under this award. View programme here. Contact info@visualartists.ie for information needed for supporting material.
Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht
Stream D – Cultural Capital Scheme 2019-2022
Following the announcement by Minister Catherine Martin, T.D, a range of capital funding measures will be provided to assist in the re-opening of theatres, arts centres and culture venues under Stream D of the Cultural Capital Scheme 2019-2022. The measures are designed to support arts and culture facilities in preparation for staff, artists and audiences returning to venues to reopen in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business and Return to Work Safety Protocols. There is a high degree of flexibility which will be matched by timely decision-making processes that will allow organisations to undertake immediately, necessary capital adaptations to their buildings so that they comply with the HSE COVID-19 related public health protection measures.
Organisations that hold existing capital grants may immediately request by email to artscapitalunit@chg.gov.ie the re-purposing of all or part of the grant towards necessary works and equipment to allow reopening. Organisations can apply to re-purpose up to €10,000 of their grant which can be used to fund eligible costs at a 90% funding rate or up to €5,000 which will not require match funding. Repurposed funding required for the original purpose of the grant will be restored when required at a later date.
Organisations that do not hold a capital grant, will be able to apply for funding from Tuesday 14 July 2020.
For more see: chg.gov.ie/arts/creative-arts/grants-and-funding
Other Opportunities
VAI continues to receive notices of Jobs and Opportunities that are open to individual artists. This includes open calls for exhibitions, residencies and funding opportunities We will update these on our website as a matter of urgency, and will continue to publish them via the eBulletin and Social Media.
Go to Jobs & Opportunities.
3. Primary References and Go to places for information
Government Guidelines: gov.ie
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Income Support Helpline for COVID -19: 1890 800 024 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm)
Citizens Information
We always recommend Citizens Information for advice that is not specific to our sector and in particular any advice needed on Social Welfare. You can reach them on 0761 074000 and there is extensive information on their website citizensinformation.ie
MABS – Money Advice and Budgeting Service
MABS is the State’s money advice service, guiding people through dealing with problem debt for more than twenty years.
MABS is free, confidential and independent. MABS Helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm at 0761 07 2000, if you would like to call and discuss your debt issues. MABS will look at your debt as a whole to find the best solution for your situation. MABS can negotiate with creditors, advise on budgeting and on recording your spending.
Read more about MABS.
Arts Council – artscouncil.ie
Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht – artsunit@chg.gov.ie
HSE on Coronavirus (COVID-19): hse.ie
Threshold – threshold.ie/covid-19/
Contact our VAI Help Desk at 01 6729488 and info@visualartists.ie