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

I thank all the Deputies who contributed. I acknowledge again the co-operation and support of all sides of the House during this time of national crisis. Deputies have asked specific questions on various schemes. Due to time constraints, I cannot address them individually. Ms Orlaith Mannion has agreed that the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection will provide Members with written answers to clarify some of the issues raised.

It is important to acknowledge where we stand. The live register figures released earlier highlight starkly the changed economic landscape. A month ago, we had full employment with more people at work than ever before. Sadly, today's figures show that more than 500,000 people are now in receipt of some form of income support. This is unprecedented and for the many businesses and workers impacted, and their families, this is an extremely difficult and worrying time.

The Government’s focus has been on responding quickly and decisively to the challenges of Covid-19. First, we put in place the public health measures necessary to slow the spread of the disease and, second, we put in place the social welfare and economic policies necessary to mitigate the impact of the virus on the well-being of citizens. Have we got everything right or designed the perfect solutions to the welfare and economic challenges? No, we have not, nor, given the pace at which we had to respond, could anybody be expected to. Officials from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection have provided briefing sessions for Members on the new measures. The Department will continue to work with Members to provide answers to the issues raised and seek to provide solutions, where possible. However, we must be realistic. In a time of unprecedented crisis, not every problem can be sorted out and not every anomaly can be resolved. The perfect cannot be allowed to get in the way of the good. Nevertheless we are open to making whatever improvements we can. As a Government, we will seek to take on board the comments and suggestions made by Deputies.

Some Deputies have constituents who applied for but did not get the Covid emergency payment on Tuesday. I assure them that the Department is working with people who have legitimately applied but where an error may have been made, for example, in a bank IBAN.

I reiterate that the quickest and easiest way to apply for the Covid unemployment payment is online at mywelfare.ie.It is also important to point out that 88% of claims received were put into payment.

That is 283,000 people. I want to acknowledge the staff of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in local offices across the country, as well as those who have been redeployed from elsewhere in the public service, who have worked night and day to clear the equivalent of a 19-month claim load in two weeks. This is unprecedented and an enormous challenge, but the work is being done. We must remember that those staff have families and loved ones, but they are working tirelessly to make sure that people are receiving the payments they are due. In my mind, that is what public service is about.

The 283,000 people in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment were working up to a week or so ago. They were looking forward to St. Patrick's day, mother's day, Easter, holidays and all sorts of normal activities. Now, like almost every facet of Irish life, their world has been turned upside down. The income supports we introduced and enhanced are, first and foremost, intended to alleviate the financial hardship they now face. As many economic commentators have observed, these payments will also play an important role in sustaining incomes and positioning the economy for what we hope will be a fast recovery.

I encourage employers to avail of the temporary wage subsidy scheme. As of this morning, more than 36,000 businesses had registered for the wage subsidy scheme, with more than €54 million in payments already issued to employers. The scheme is vital to maintain the link between employer and employee so that we can be ready, when we come out the other side of this, which we will, to reboot businesses as soon as possible so that people can get back to work as quickly as possible.

I encourage any business to engage with Revenue before it lets go staff and to consider the option of the wage subsidy scheme. It is important to point out that even if an employee has been laid off because of Covid-19 it is not too late. Employers can rehire an employee, provided he or she was on the payroll in February, and avail of the temporary wage subsidy scheme.

Finally, I would like to thank all sides of the House for allowing the passage of two very important pieces of emergency legislation in the past fortnight. I have no doubt we will continue to work together in the national interest in what are going to be difficult days and weeks ahead.

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