Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

3 o’clock

I thank the Minister on behalf of the many businesses and employees for her swift action in introducing a number of supports, along with the Department of Finance. These supports will help businesses to keep open and keep their staff employed, thereby maintaining that link with their employees which is important. Much swift action has been taken in this regard, as well as supports through the wage subsidy and other payments for employees who are out of work at the moment but who hope to get back to work.

That is phase one. In phase two, there will be a need for more supports as one develops the next stage of the response. I urge the Minister to bear in mind the other sectors and SMEs which might not always fall into her Department's category. While IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and LEO clients come under her Department's remit, many other SMEs do not and these are the lifeblood of our local economies. These could be shops, play centres, restaurants and so forth which normally do not get the Department's support. Will she keep in mind they may need cash supports to reopen? Some may need support to stay closed during the next couple of weeks while they wait their turn as restrictions are lifted.

I welcome the Minister's plans to announce more supports and a step-by-step plan for restrictions to be removed.

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