Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister knows, there has been a problem with nursing homes and we do not see one in processing facilities around the country. Will the Minister come back to me on the issue of grant aid for getting businesses up and running in terms of the cost of training staff and equipping premises?

The wage subsidy scheme must be prioritised as the primary support for workers and provide for a continuity between workers and their employers. Will the Minister clarify whether the wage subsidy will be continued beyond June, as I think it will, and will be tapered off in line with a recovery in the economy to maintain that linkage where at all possible? Will the Minister comment on actions by some companies such as Bord na Móna which are being allowed to avail of the wage subsidy scheme and lay off staff and put them on welfare payments through the pandemic unemployment payment? Should it not be the case that employers that are availing of the wage subsidy scheme should keep all of their staff on the books rather than lay off the majority and keep a small proportion on the books?

Will there be provision made for forgiveness for debt during the lockdown for businesses? Will Government increase the funding to local authorities in order for rates bills during the lockdown to be written off?

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