Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will certain say to the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, that Deputy Smith has raised this again. I have seen some individual queries of constituents of mine who are finding it difficult to access their welfare entitlements. As is often the case, everyone's situation is different and that can complicate matters, but we will try to help as best we can.

The Government really appreciates and understands the extent to which the aviation sector, airports and airlines have been severely hit by the pandemic and the strict travel rules the Government has put in place to protect the health of the country. Aer Lingus has been a major beneficiary of the wage subsidy scheme. It has enabled the company to hang on to many of its staff. It will be a major beneficiary of the employment wage subsidy scheme, which will allow it to keep a lot of its staff on the payroll. We are in engagements with the company to see if we can support the airline in a similar way to other Governments to ensure its survival through the pandemic, because we need the airline and we will need the connectivity next summer.

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