Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. Moving to level 5 has had a significant impact on the public finances. The number of people on the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment has increased by more than 100,000 in that period and currently stands at 350,000. The weekly payment rate has gone from approximately €66 million per week at level 3 to €104 million per week under level 5. Some of that is accounted for by the reinstatement of the €350 per week rate, but the move to level 5 and the extra 100,000 recipients have had an impact. That number could increase further because of a time lag, though we certainly hope and expect to be out of level 5 in two weeks.

The cost of the CRSS has increased by €40 million per week because of the move from level 3 to level 5. These are significant sums. They have an impact and, alongside the overarching objective of keeping our people safe, they are a factor in Government decisions.

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