Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Of course, the budget in the North is a subvented budget - the Taoiseach is quite correct - unlike that budgetary parameters that we have here. I am glad to hear the Taoiseach confirm that the payments will be extended beyond June. Will he indicate for how long these payments will be extended? Will he indicate that the level of payment at €350 will remain the same? Will he indicate also if he could be more ambitious in terms of the supports for small and medium-sized enterprises and micro businesses? What he left out in his exposition of the North is the fact that grants of £10,000 sterling or £25,000 sterling are being made to businesses across all sectors in the economy. In fact, what has been dedicated to those efforts in the Six Counties is far greater than the entire €250 million, which is pretty miserly, that has been set out here. Businesses are contacting all of us, I am sure, to say that it is inadequate.

I am very proud of the community work that our activists do right across the island. It is not just in the North that people are running meals on wheels and bringing packages and parcels to help people who are struggling. Today, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul launches its fundraising effort in acknowledgement of the fact we have many needy people.

I am glad the Taoiseach has changed his mind in terms of cutting this subsidy and income support scheme. At what rate will it be paid? Is it still €350? For how long will the Government extend this payment?

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