Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Joan Collins. With regard to the future of the PUP, I take the Deputy's point regarding the tapering. I am examining all the options and discussing them with my officials. I am also talking to the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I am trying to address this fairly. The one thing I have said is that there will be no cliff edge. I hope I will be in a position to make an announcement on this in early June. The issues the Deputy is raising are the matters I am taking into consideration. I appreciate any points made to me because it is all about trying to do our best. We are here to help people.

I understand what the Deputy is saying about the wage subsidy scheme and how it has meant workers ended up with somewhat less because they are being taxed on a lesser amount. I will raise that with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe. The rule is that if in any one year one earns a certain amount of income, regardless of the source, income tax has to be paid on it. That is the way it works but I will raise it with the Minister.

We review issues such as paid leave for those who have had a miscarriage. I can understand why somebody would need to get time off. It is a bit wider than that. An individual might have some type of illness also. It is a matter we will certainly consider.