Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Undoubtedly, we are in a difficult time but there are also opportunities to reboot our social welfare system to ensure that it helps all those who are most in need both during the crisis and afterwards. The €350 Covid payment is a clear recognition by Fine Gael and others that this is the least amount needed to keep a person's head above water when they lose their job. However, kite flying by certain members of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil has resulted in hundreds of thousands of people being terrified of what is coming down the line. Today's debate will have given them no certainty for the longer term. The Government is discussing cutting the PUP. It should be reminded that the vast majority are only out of work because of the pandemic and because Government restrictions have made it illegal for some to work and unfeasible for others. It is not for any other reason.

Today, I raise the self-employed taxi drivers, driving instructors and other PSV drivers. Yesterday, I dealt with a taxi driver aged 74 years who had previously been in hospital. He has lost his accommodation and has been living in his taxi in recent weeks. He is a very proud man who does not want handouts, he just wants a hand up. His only income is his pension and he was denied a Covid-19 payment, like many others.

Many others are in vulnerable situations with poor health and they are in high-risk groups who cannot access supports unless they completely close their business.

Thousands of healthy taxi drivers have seen their business collapse due to the restrictions imposed by the Government during this pandemic. They are asking why they are not getting supported in the same way as other workers and businesses. They have families, mortgages and bills to pay and, in some cases, they must undertake extra measures in order to keep their taxis going. Some will have to replace their vehicles due to the ten-year rule and with no business and no supports this will drive many off the road. Insurance has increased massively for taxi drivers and a pittance has been paid back. Again, the lack of business supports will drive many taxi drivers off the road. Are there plans to treat taxi drivers in the same way as other businesses and workers? What supports can they look forward to in the coming months? We know that much of the business on which they rely will most likely not open up this year, or if it does open up the capacity will be reduced to 30% or 35%, leaving them with virtually no work.

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