Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move recommendation No. 3:

In page 14, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following: “(22) The Minister may make an order under paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (21) that pertains to a certain class or sector of business of employers.”.

I am a little disappointed that the previous recommendations were ruled out of order because it is common sense to extend the existing temporary Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme when so many businesses are in trouble. While we welcome the new scheme, the lower rate of subsidy is, frankly, being introduced too soon. The existing subsidy should be extended for another couple of months.

Recommendation No. 3 gives the Minister a bit of flexibility so that he can provide additional support to particular sectors if he wishes. The Minister of State has just indicated that the Government is not taking a sectoral approach. Perhaps this conditionality should be built in so that such an approach could be taken. We know how much difficulty the hospitality sector is in, for example. To my mind, this is a common-sense recommendation. It builds in extra flexibility in case it is needed between now and the next set of proposals. I would be disappointed if the Minister of State was not willing to support it.