Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Like the previous Sinn Féin speakers, I support Deputy O'Reilly's amendment. There are times when Deputies can all work together and this is an issue where we should all support microenterprises and small businesses. Deputy O'Reilly is arguing that if we give people 12 months during which they do not need to repay money and no interest is charged, we will give them an opportunity to keep their businesses going.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of communities in my constituency of Cork North-Central and nationally. They hire local people and provide local employment. We must consider that when we think about every local business we can save.

As we look at the finances of the State, it is a lot more financially beneficial to businesses, communities, employees and the country if we can keep small businesses operating. UCC did a study which found that on average, small businesses employ 3.1 people and are open for almost 25 years. In 2017 and 2018, 85% of them were profitable.

This goes back to what Deputy Paul Donnelly said about initiative and how small businesses are able to diversify, change and adapt. In my own community, some businesses have not reopened, including some hairdressers and gyms, because they do not feel it will be possible for them to be viable under the current restrictions. We need to provide support for them to get over the next 12 months because this period will be vital for businesses. That is why I urge the Government to look at Deputy O'Reilly's proposal. At the end of the day, we all need to work together. We are better off supporting small businesses to stay open and be viable than we are paying social welfare to the number of people who will be laid off. We need to look at the positives from a financial and business point of view but also from a personal point of view because of the consequences of people losing their jobs. When we came into this new Dáil, we said that where we could be constructive or could work with the Government, we would do so. We are asking the Government to work with us to give small business and microenterprises a chance and keep them viable.

Yesterday I was in my local launderette and the lady who has owned this business for decades was telling me that she had three staff but she cannot take them back because a lot of her business was with hotels and restaurants. As we know, that business is not there now. She is back working her launderette herself. We need to keep her going until the hotels and restaurants are back up and running full time. We have the same situation in cafés, hairdressers, restaurants and bars.

Sinn Féin wants to be positive and constructive. We are bringing forward solutions. We will try to work with the Government. The business community does not do a 39-hour week. These are people who work 50, 60 or 70 hours a week to keep their companies going. We want to support them and the staff they employ. We will do everything on our side to be constructive. I hope the Minister of State will take on board Deputy O'Reilly's amendment.

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