Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Deputies Butler, Flaherty and McAuliffe. I will take six minutes and they will each take three. We are acutely aware of the economic effects of Covid-19. While public health is obviously the number one concern, if the right policy decisions are not made and the right supports are not put in place, we will not have an economy to ensure a sound public health system. We know who is advising with regard to health. Has a similar task force been established to advise on rebooting our economy?

I will focus on a few issues. Yesterday Lemon and Duke, a well-known pub here in the capital city, had to take a legal challenge in respect of a legitimate claim under its business interruption cover. We wish its owners luck. While they are fortunate enough to be in a position to take that challenge, what of the hundreds of SMEs that have legitimate business interruption cover but that cannot afford to take such a challenge? When will the Government meet the CEOs of the insurance companies and tell them to adhere to the guidelines issued by the Central Bank, which recommend coming down on the side of the consumer wherever there is any doubt whatsoever? The Minister might come back to me on that.

I have raised the issue of trade credit with the Minister on a number of occasions. It is critical to rebooting trading post-lockdown and is needed to restore market confidence. Without Government intervention, it will be difficult for many of our SMEs to access credit. Will the Minister provide an update as to where her Department is in this regard?

She mentioned the restart fund in her contribution. I welcome that, finally, two weeks after being announced we will know the details tomorrow but I am very worried about this fund. I do not believe it will be adequate. The circular issued to local authorities by the Minister's Department, or perhaps it was the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, suggested that the fund will be based on rates paid in 2019 up to a maximum of 10%. In the Westmeath County Council area, the median rate paid in 2019 was €1,900. Under the Minister's scheme, 50% of businesses in Westmeath will be lucky enough to get €1,900. That is no laughing matter. Across the Border and across the sea, the minimum grants are £10,000. How in the name of God can a small business restart with €1,900? It is not practical and it needs to be reassessed.

I have engaged with many industries and sectors over recent weeks. Yesterday I spoke to the Hairdressing Council of Ireland. Despite the return-to-work protocol, it still does not know what requirements will be placed on its members with regard to screens, PPE and so on. They need time for a lead-in and to make modifications to their premises so that they can be ready when they are enabled to open. There is no guidance in this respect. They have been on to the HSA and the HSE but have received no guidance. It is not good enough.

The position is similar for the hospitality sector, including pubs and restaurants. These businesses are still waiting for guidance on what they need to do and what modifications they need to make to ensure they comply with the restrictions being introduced. I suggest that a task force or forum be established for the hospitality sector. This would include representatives from the pub industry, the hotel industry, the restaurant industry and cafés and would work under the leadership of the Minister's Department to bring forward clear protocols and guidelines as to how these businesses can operate safely.

Restrictions will undoubtedly make businesses that normally would have been profitable less so or even not profitable at all. The measures that have been announced to date only offer businesses that are struggling further debt. These businesses are struggling to repay some of their existing debt and we are offering them debt at interest rates of 4%, 4.5% and even 5%.

We need to review that again. We need to review the wage subsidy scheme. Can normally profitable businesses go back into operation and continue to pay this at a tapered rate? As restrictions lift and as turnover increases and profitability rises, we can withdraw the wage subsidy. It is crucial to look at that.

According to the ESRI or the CSO, 400,000 people are better off receiving the weekly €350 payment. Some part-time workers, seasonal workers and reduced-hour workers are actually earning more now, which is proving a disincentive to certain people, making it difficult for certain industries to recruit staff. How much longer will that category of people be in receipt of this payment?

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