Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 8, to delete lines 33 to 36.

My amendment, which others have also tabled, relates to the proposed new section 68L(1)(g) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. As I mentioned in my earlier speech, this refers to the new condition that those in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment must seek employment. I do not agree with the rationale for this the Minister has given to the House. When was this decided? When was this condition introduced? Does the Minister know how many people currently in receipt of the PUP have jobs in sectors that have not yet reopened and therefore will not have to meet the requirement to seek work? Will those people be expected to engage with job activation schemes such as JobPath? People are under a great deal of pressure. I really do not see the need for this condition. These are workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. They will seek alternative work if their workplaces do not reopen. The Minister should know that. I ask for her support in this regard. Where are many of these people to find alternative employment? Perhaps they will find it in Dublin. In many rural areas such as Roscommon and Galway, there is no alternative employment at this time. The Minister should take that into account.

See this speech in context