Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I support the Sinn Féin amendment tabled by my colleague, Deputy Doherty. It is a vital amendment and it addresses the people who have not been able to avail of this scheme. The continuation and adjustment of the Covid support scheme is vital work that we must complete and I echo the comments of my colleagues regarding the necessity of sustaining and amending it.

Businesses have operated, or not operated unfortunately, for close to a year in the Covid-19 environment. Regrettably, I have no doubt that many smaller businesses will be unable to sustain these prolonged periods of closure with near-zero income. While others may have the economies of scale required to survive the pandemic, many SMEs and sole traders will not. The support scheme is the safety net that has allowed many thousands of businesses to limp over the past ten months. Thousands of businesses have registered for the scheme since November. While many saw a return to trading, albeit brief, in the pre-Christmas period, this will not be enough to keep them afloat. Payments data show that while the Christmas season led to spending reaching its highest point for the year, there has been a rapid reversal since restrictions were reintroduced and it is now close to levels seen in the spring of last year.

The unfortunate but not unexpected news last night regarding the extension of current restrictions to 5 March will be met with despair by many business owners. This continuation is necessary, given the high numbers presenting at our hospitals, and as such we must continue all efforts to get the virus under control. Business owners and their employees appreciate this, but nonetheless last night's announcement was a punch in the gut to many of those who are struggling to keep their businesses afloat. We know of the schemes, loans and supports that are available and I urge businesses to access them as appropriate.

A walk to my office in Limerick lays bare the impact of the pandemic on local trade and commerce. In Limerick, every morning is like a Sunday morning; businesses are shut and foot traffic is down to a trickle. It is a depressing sight and it leads me to wonder how the city centre can recover without additional support for the affected businesses. An overall review of the CRSS is needed to ensure that all those who need it can avail of it and that those who need it most will not continue to slip between the cracks.

While adjustments and alterations to the scheme are necessary and appropriate, what we really need is an overarching plan of recovery, an entire Government consultation with the Opposition to operate in unison and fewer roll-outs and subsequent rollbacks by Departments.

Unfortunately, like so many others, business communities have suffered due to the hesitation and doubt that has epitomised this Government's response to the pandemic to date. We have had mixed messages regarding pubs opening, wet pubs versus dry pubs, the lack of support offered to our tourism sector and travel agents, the disastrous failure in implementing restrictions on foreign travel into the State during the pandemic and the delay in responding to the crisis in our nursing homes. People have made huge sacrifices. They are exhausted and need to see a fresh line, even if that is just the slightest glimmer of light in the distance. All of the errors to which I refer contributed to the frustrations and concerns of the public. All these missteps have led to the economy being closed again.

We are discussing amendments and adjustments to the CRSS. I fear that while the Government was procrastinating, the horse bolted. The Sinn Féin amendment is important. I urge all parties to support it. What we really need is an idea of what the eventual reopening of our economy will look like. I look forward to hearing the Government's plan on this issue. As already stated, Sinn Féin will be pressing this amendment and calling a vote at the end of the session.

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