Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is not right. It is not fair politics. The whole purpose of introducing the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment was to help people through Covid-19. It developed very strong social solidarity. We want to continue to help people in that situation. That is why 600,000 people in the country were on the payment in May and why 287,000 are still on it. I would like the cases of genuine recipients who might not have been aware of this to be reviewed. That is something I would like to do because I do not wish to undermine any individual or take from their legitimate entitlements. It is clear that social protection had to ensure proper compliance for those who are leaving the country for good at the moment, and who are still receiving the Covid payment, in deference to the taxpayer.

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