Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Bill is important and obviously I support it but it does not go far enough. We have gone through a very difficult year. People on low incomes and people with larger families have a very unsettled future and have had a very difficult past during this year because of how Covid has affected our society. The people who get Covid tend to be poorer and from more challenged economic groups. While I welcome and will support the Bill, it would be reasonable to extend the protections therein until the end of March which would give adequate time to take due cognisance of the position of families who have financial difficulties because of Covid or may have personal illness as a result of Covid.

I believe that the vast majority of tenants are excellent and do their very best. Rent is the first thing on their minds after they put food on the table. Particularly coming up to Christmas, the capacity for younger people aged 16 and over to earn spare income for the family has been greatly reduced. The demands on families, particularly when there are young children, are significantly increased coming up to Christmas and many more families than normal are being driven into poverty with the Covid pandemic. I urge the Minister to rethink the time limit. I welcome what he is doing, which will give families some relief. It does not go far enough.

Many people have contacted me and other Members of the Oireachtas. They have significant problems. They are very happy that they are getting the pandemic unemployment payment, but their jobs have disappeared. Young people and people who are unskilled, who would normally find part-time work in pubs and restaurants to bring in additional income at this time of the year, are now going to be considerably worse off. Many of them will reluctantly and unavoidably fall into debt. I believe the United Kingdom has extended its moratorium to the end of March and we should do the same. It would be the honourable and decent thing to do. It would be proportionate to the difficulties families face.

As the Minister has pointed out, different proceedings should apply to people involved in significant criminal and other adverse activities. It is important to recognise the humanity of those who are now at greater risk than ever before. It is not good enough to abandon them on 11 January, particularly as we are entering the coldest part of the winter period.

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