Huge numbers of musicians, performers, entertainers and taxi drivers who, as a result of the dramatic reduction in people going out and the new measures on numbers and percentages in theatres and venues which impact on the night-time economy, are applying for the much-trumpeted restoration of the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, are receiving letters denying them it because they had signed on for jobseeker's allowance last week and because they are on the part-time self-employment scheme, the whole point of which was to allow people to earn a little and get some support. All of that ability to earn is now gone because their industry has been decimated coming into Christmas.

Thank you, Deputy. Time is up.

People are taking massive hits on their income and they are being denied access to the PUP. What is the Taoiseach going to do for these groups of people who have been bit by measures the Government has taken?

Again, as has been announced, the rate of payment of the PUP will be linked to prior earnings. All individuals, including the self-employed and students, who lose their employment on or after Tuesday, 7 December because of the effects of the new public health restrictions are eligible. The PUP will be available for self-employed workers, such as taxi drivers, if they lose their jobs as a result of the latest restrictions. There is also a provision whereby self-employed workers such as taxi drivers can earn up to €960 over an eight-week period and still receive the PUP. There is flexibility for self-employed workers to carry out some limited work and still avail of the PUP.

Why then are people being denied it?