Mr. Neil McDonnell:

That is an important point. Deputy Paul Murphy brought up something similar earlier. The general comment I would make on that is that we understand that all the supports must taper – we are as keen for that to happen as anyone else – but when the rules on the ground change, as they did the other day, then the rules on the supports must change as well. We have been on the record as saying that the PUP in some ways discouraged people from coming back into the workplace. People were reluctant to give it up because the rule said they could not re-engage with it. Having seen what has happened the night-time economy, we cannot blame some people who are on the PUP, who are breathing a sigh of relief and saying they are glad they did not come off it and that they are still in receipt of it.

We are going to have to show flexibility on qualification for the PUP, for example. Perhaps that would include allowing workers to avail of some of the flexibilities that are there for the self-employed. If we are going to face a prolonged period of uncertainty, we will need to be flexible on the rules.