Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the question. It is fair to acknowledge that the recovery will not be even across all sectors. It will be gradual in several sectors. We are seeing an example of that in the aviation industry and with all the main airports. Even international assessments conclude that the recovery of the aviation sector will be gradual. There is, of course, an unknown factor as well in the form of changed work practices and the move to blended working. We might wonder, for example, if we will see less international business travel in future. Uncertainties exist, therefore. Aviation is an example of a sector where there will be a recovery, but it will not reach 100% in the coming year.

Therefore, there are uncertainties there. That is one sector where there will be a recovery but it will not be 100% in the coming year. In addition, we anticipate that the recovery in the night-time sector, in arts and entertainment, will be gradual and we need to take account of that in the Covid-related supports we provide.

I can give assurance that the additional funding that was provided in some sectors last year will be considered in the context of this budget. There will be a continuation of some, but not all, additional funding next year for Covid-related measures for sectors that we believe will need extra assistance to help them in their journey to recovery. However, 106,000 people, who were in work in March 2020, are still out of work because of the pandemic. It is a top priority for the Government to help them in their journey back to employment.

We need to be honest and acknowledge that it may not necessarily be back to the same job or to the same sector. Some changes have been accelerated over the past 18 months of living with Covid-19. However, the Pathways to Work programme, which is fully funded, involves thousands of additional training places, work experience placements and educational placements. All those will be rolled out by the relevant bodies through the Intreo offices, SOLAS, and the further and higher education sector. The Ministers, Deputies Harris and Humphreys, are implementing that Pathways to Work programme, which is designed to help people in their journey back to work. Certain sectors have many job vacancies. We need to match people's skills with vacancies and the new opportunities that are undoubtedly opening up across the economy.