Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the decision on the wage subsidy scheme. I will make the point that I have made to the Minister privately, namely, that it still does not go far enough. Those on the minimum wage are better off on the pandemic unemployment payment and it is crucial that people are connected with their employers. I ask the Minister to keep this under review when considering the new round of figures when nearly twice as many people are receiving the pandemic unemployment payment as are availing of the wage subsidy scheme.

The three-month mortgage break is not, in fact, a break but a deferral. The Minister will be aware at this stage that, unlike in some other jurisdictions, interest will accrue on those which means that somebody with a €300,000 mortgage over a 30-year term with Bank of Ireland will pay back an additional €2,700. A similar person with a mortgage with AIB will pay back an additional €1,650. The people bailed out those banks. Those banks are only surviving because of what the people did and the hardship they went through. Given that the State is a shareholder in both of those banks, does the Minister not think it is now the time to call on them to give people proper breaks and that interest would not accrue on those deferrals?

I have raised insurance for business interruption on numerous occasions, including nearly a month ago in the Chamber. What is happening regarding a number of insurance companies is absolutely scandalous. FBD, in respect of which I have seen the policy documents, letters and side letters, has made it clear to businesses, including pubs, that they are covered for Covid-19 but it is refusing to pay out. It is not acceptable and people should not be forced to go through the courts to vindicate what is their right. I ask the Minister to step in. Allianz insures in the community and childcare sector. Schools are insured through IPB. We have been engaging with Allianz. It is possibly about to move on this but I ask the Minister to join me and others to try to ensure such companies make the business interruption insurance payment. The policyholders have paid out a pretty hefty fee over recent years to make sure they were covered.

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