Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I answer the question, I will respond to the Deputy's assertion on the answer I gave a moment ago. It sometimes seems that Sinn Féin thinks it is the only party that can make political points about anything. What I was saying to the Deputy was reaffirming what Sinn Féin heard from the Revenue Commissioners. It is my intention that all people will be treated equally under this legislation. I explained why this issue has developed and I made clear my desire to see if there is a way to deal with it. My approach appears to have been confirmed by the conversation the Revenue Commissioners had with Deputy Doherty. I will not allow any allegation to be created in the development of this issue to the effect that it is my intention to not treat people in a way that is not fair or respectful. It is my intention to treat all in a fair and respectful manner. That is why I am examining this issue to see if there is a way of dealing with it. It is perfectly appropriate for me to ask that if it turns out that I am not be able to deal with this issue in the way I want, I will ask for co-operation in dealing with it. I accept the concerns that have been raised by Deputies on this matter and I am simply examining it to see if there is a way in which it can be dealt with.

To answer the Deputy's question on how many people we expect to be on the PUP during the latter stages of the reopening plan, I would say that we will probably be in a better position to answer that question with data next week. The reason I say that is that even as recently as this morning I met officials from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to see if we could get a sense of the number of recipients of the PUP who are leaving it at the moment. Unfortunately, we only have two days' worth of information and I would be wary of drawing any conclusions from it. By the weekend or by Monday, we will know how many people have left the PUP because of the reopening of the economy at that point. I will then be in a position to be able to give the House an informed estimate on what we think is happening with the number of citizens who are on the PUP and what we think is likely to happen as the economy reopens.

On the continuation of the PUP throughout the remainder of 2020, there is a timing difference between the end date of the payment and where matters stand with the reopening of our economy.

The reason for that, as I hope Deputy Cullinane can appreciate, is that we made the decision on the phased reopening of our economy after we put the PUP in place. The Government will have to consider the issue in the coming weeks. As soon as a decision has been made on it, we will, of course, update the House.

I will make a concluding point. If the PUP were continued at the level the Deputy is suggesting, up to the end of this year, we would then face the understandable issue whereby citizens who were unemployed before the Covid-19 pandemic would be asking why their jobseeker's payments were lower than the current PUP. We would all face demands for an increase in the levels of income supports to the level of the PUP. That merits consideration.

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