Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like the Chairman and other members, I thank the Department for the wonderful work it has done over recent months. On a personal basis, having dealt with the staff through my office, I can pay them only the highest compliments. Certainly, nothing has been complicated and every effort has been made to help people in our constituencies. Like other members, I really appreciate that. Many of the questions I had intended to ask have been asked by the Chairman, Deputies Ó Cuív and Kerrane and others.

Our guests might clarify how many people have to be paid arrears. They said the issue should be sorted out in the next couple of weeks but how many people are there? I understand that the Department might have more investigating to do. As Christmas approaches, if there are people on the longer term list who really want the money, can we do anything for them or make a case for them? The investigations might not be fully carried out, but close to Christmas, people need that money more than at any other time of the year.

I join the Chairman and others in their remarks about the entertainment business, a business I know a little about. I greatly appreciate the effort the Department has made in that regard but people in the industry have concerns about taxation. While I accept what Mr. Hession said about it not being an issue for their Department and it being an issue for the Department of Finance and Revenue, they might make a note of it. The continuation of PUP will be very important for these people. I think we all accept that with regard to the recovery, vaccinations and so on, the entertainment industry will be at the end of line in terms of getting back into business. Many of them face very serious financial challenges. It is not only about putting bread on the table. Engineers in that business who travel throughout the country when working at gigs have to have vehicles that are up to speed and roadworthy. All of them are paying substantial fees on such vehicles. They have hidden costs that people do not see. I am very concerned about that.

It was welcome to hear what our guests said about the Christmas bonus, but will they clarify how much they estimate it to cost in total?