Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact that the Minister is considering extending the scheme beyond April. That is positive news. However, the reality is that it is far better to borrow money to protect jobs in the tourism and hospitality than to borrow money to pay social welfare. I ask the Minister to again look at this issue urgently.

Employers have the option of giving staff tax-free vouchers worth up to €500 at the end of the year as a bonus. As a once-off measure, will the Minister consider increasing that limit to €750 on the condition that the vouchers are for local shops to encourage people to support local business this Christmas? It would help recognise the work done by many staff during a very difficult year with the pandemic and also, more important, it would help to protect the viability of many local businesses across the country.

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