Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to have an opportunity to speak on the Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Bill 2020. I welcome many of the measures in the July stimulus package but, unfortunately, it simply does not go far enough in many areas. It has all the hallmarks of a departmental document without the understanding of what makes people tick in rural and urban areas all over Ireland. The purpose of stay and spend incentives is to incentivise taxpayers to support registered providers of accommodation and food during the off-peak season, thus providing support for an industry that has been devastated by Covid-19. It is certainly well-intentioned but I have concerns about it.

From the point of view of the industry, any increase in consumer demand is welcome but the scheme is likely to bring about a significant increase in administration. Self-employed people are weary of, and over-burdened by, administration. They have probably had a break from administration during the pandemic but they have not had a break from anything else. I anticipate a problem with splitting receipts so that everyone can claim relief on their own portion of the total bill.

There is already reduced capacity and increased requirements for cleaning and hygiene at this time. Many in the industry have sounded warnings and this is a nonsensical kind of a set-up.

There is disappointment that the Government decided not to further reduce the VAT rate. The reduction is minuscule. Reducing VAT is a simple way to allow people to spend their money and not reducing it further is a missed opportunity.

This is the first time I have addressed the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, since his reappointment and I wish him well in the role. I previously offered congratulations to the new Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, but I wish Deputy Donohoe well in his continuing ministerial role. I will be forthright and make objections when I see things that require me to do that.

The Government does not get what makes people tick. There is bureaucracy.

From a consumer point of view, while the spend-and-stay initiative is well intentioned in its aim to promote business in the off-peak season, the exclusion of pensioners is very disappointing. In recent years, members of many active retirement associations have taken trips to Killarney and to hotels in many areas. They are wonderful organisations for people who are retired. Those people should have been looked after. People come to Dublin for day trips, go for weekend trips to Killarney and attend country music events. They love such trips.

Those aged over 66 years have been victimised throughout the pandemic. Many are working, yet cannot claim any payments because they are only eligible for pensions. All they wanted was a top-up so the pension payment would be the same as the PUP. That would have recognised the fact that they built this country, reared their families and paid their taxes and PRSI. Some pensioners have worked for 40 years or longer, and should have got something.

I discussed the music entertainment industry yesterday. There has been an abject failure in this regard. Social welfare provisions did not deal with that. This industry is part of our heritage, dúchas and culture. Musicians are adored and admired and, above all, they are self-made people. They had jobs and decided to go it alone. They had the profession, trade and skill set, which are very important, and then had to become self-employed and get vans and very costly equipment. Some of the bigger bands had an entourage, including sound engineers.

The industry has been wiped out. Those working in it have been told by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to get work elsewhere. Are we going to wipe away that part of our culture and an industry that is loved by ordinary people of all ages from the cradle to the grave? Those in the industry have been left in an awful situation. They are being discriminated against when it comes to the pandemic unemployment payment. The Minister will have to do something because we will lose part of our culture like snow off a ditch. Cad a dhéanfaimid feasta gan adhmad? Cad a dhéanfaimid feasta gan amhráin a chanadh agus an fhidil a sheinm? Is mór an trua é.

It is an awful pity. The Minister does not seem to understand the situation. The permanent government does not understand what makes people tick and how they want to live. Those in the entertainment sector have been placed on a reduced payment of €203 per week. This is the Minister's area, given that he holds the purse strings.

What is happening with the pubs is a joke. People who buy a €9 sandwich or meal can go to a pub. Sandwiches are supposed to prevent a Covid infection. It is a total farce. The pubs have been blackguarded. I know dozens of people aged 66 years and older who could not get payments and were shut down by the Government. Worse than that, they were told their businesses could reopen last Monday week but were not allowed to do so. The time limit for the decision was too short. People did not get enough lead-in notice and had to pay for stock and everything else. They have been dealt a body blow. It is ridiculous.

In terms of employment wage subsidies, I welcome that people can claim this year's tax against last year's tax. I support PAYE workers. They had the choice to opt for payment based on their income in 2019 or 2020, but the self-employed did not. Their payments were based on figures for 2018 or 2019. The system should be fair and balanced for everybody. The stimulus package was a missed opportunity. Our businesses are floundering.

The tourism and hospitality industries are floundering. Today, I raised the issue of Clarecastle and the fabulous Swiss Cottage in Cahir. OPW sites are locked up. Surely we can let people into the environs and courtyards of a splendid castle. There are hundreds of people in Cahir every Sunday. It is a beautiful town. The hotels and shops want footfall. The gates are dúnta and there are padlocks on them. Staff must be protected and safe, but the courtyards and open areas and environs of the buildings must be opened. It is not fair that other sites in Tipperary, such as the Rock of Cashel, are open while those in Cahir are not. It is discrimination and it is not fair.

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