Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The CRSS is vital to qualifying businesses and we will, therefore, support this motion. However, we also support the Sinn Féin amendment because too few businesses are qualifying for the scheme. The current support scheme is limited to public-facing businesses, leaving many sectors badly impacted by the restrictions without the same safety net. Businesses that are not public facing, such as suppliers or businesses without a shopfront premises, are not immune from the effects of the pandemic or the knock-on effect from public-facing businesses closing their doors. We need to ensure that our supports are comprehensive in their scope. We cannot turn a blind eye to certain sectors and simply hope that they will survive 2021.

There needs to be a greater acknowledgement of how interconnected different forms of enterprises are. Thinking of this nature seems to be absent in the qualifying conditions for the CRSS. During Priority Questions on 17 December, I asked the Tánaiste to introduce an enterprise and trade support scheme equivalent to other Covid-19 restrictions support schemes for businesses that are not subject to rates and that do not conduct trading activities from a fixed premises. In his closing remarks, he accepted there will be companies that fall between schemes and that he would need to design a scheme to do something for them. It also saw the article in the Business Post. The companies were called "orphan companies". It is really disappointing that this is not being addressed today. Essentially, there are people who will have to make decisions and do so very quickly. As many companies as possible need to survive if we are to have a full and job-rich recovery.

Direct-marketing companies, tour operators, restaurants and pubs, in addition to ancillary businesses, are all critical to tourism. We are aware that some sectors have been more affected than others, not because the companies in them have been badly run or because they are not good in their own right. Some of them will not survive. Companies require support. It is short-sighted not to provide that support in a timely way. It is really important that this anomaly, which is very big, be dealt with, be it through the CRSS or a new scheme. I do not believe anybody minds what way it is dealt with; the really important point is that it be dealt with.

Consider the rules on taxes up to end of 2020. In this regard, I refer to interest rates and where people had to postpone or warehouse their taxes. There was a lower rate of interest and there were no penalties, or reduced penalties. Obviously, it was to target sectors, but the arrangement does not seem to have continued into 2021. It may well be intended. The Minister might address this because such arrangements, the waiving of rates, the PUP and other payments have been incredibly important. I acknowledge that a lot has been done but we cannot leave large groups behind, as is the case in the sector in question.

When responding, could the Minister indicate the timeframe that is being considered for the design of other schemes? I am sure there is engagement between him and the Tánaiste on addressing the needs of the group in question, which is not covered by the scheme. Just as it is important to state it is being considered, it is important that people be given the timeframe in which it is being considered so there will be some certainty and so people can make decisions. Some will have to make the decision not to continue. I hope the number will be limited but people need to know the timeframe.

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