Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Will the Minister review this policy position now, along with the pandemic unemployment payment? As a Cabinet member he agreed to impose restrictions as a result of public health guidance which mean people will lose their jobs. Last night, he said the pandemic unemployment payment was also cut. This is unfair. When the Government restricts even for the right reasons the ability of somebody to earn a living there is a responsibility on the Government to support them in the sector which it has restricted. This needs to be a quid pro quoin how we implement the public health guidance over this rocky period. The EWSS will be closed to new employers on 1 January but there is no guarantee that we will not be in a situation, and I hope not, when further restrictions will be imposed on sectors.

Therefore, the EWSS may need to be reopened. Will the Minister keep this matter under review? What powers has he to change it or would a change need legislation to be passed?