Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I listened to Deputy Gannon very respectfully put his points to the Minister. He asked solid questions and got solid answers. It was all very respectful. However, minutes earlier, I could not believe my ears while listening to Deputy Guirke. His final contribution was to state "I do not care if the Minister does not like Sinn Féin or does not like me, but she should show a bit of respect and fairness for the people of Meath West." When did she say that she does not like the Deputy, Sinn Féin or Meath West? I am not here to defend the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, but let us be fair to this Parliament. Let us not totally debase our contributions here. Deputy Guirke's comments are absolutely absurd. Comments will circulate on Facebook in Meath West tonight, stating that Minister Humphreys hates the county and she hates Deputy Guirke because his is the Sinn Féin representative for the constituency. That is total tripe. Dáil Éireann is much better than that. In the same vein that Deputy Gannon finished his contribution, I will be respectful in addressing this Chamber and the Minister.

The unemployment rate in my county of Clare is rather alarming. It has been one of the highest in the country through the past 12 months or so. In September 2019, the rate was 8.2% whereas in November 2020 it was 22.6%. It is all very fluid and volatile. The increase in the unemployment rate can largely be pinned on Covid, although there are other factors such as the airport and many things in the mid-west that are unique to the area. I ask the Minister and her Department to keep a close eye on the whole Shannon, Limerick and Ennis axis. She was in the area last year and visited the Molex factory. She knows how dependent the mid-west is on that kind of industry hub base between towns in the mid-west and the airport. I ask her to keep a close eye on that in the months ahead.

I refer to Tús, the CE scheme and the rural social scheme. Many of the schemes are not being referred with new names by the Department. The schemes are winding down and nearing expiration and they are not being provided with new names. I am thinking specifically of two fabulous schemes in my county, those in Ballynacally and Lissycasey, which have really enhanced the community. They are winding down as they are not getting referrals of new names. I ask specifically that the departmental officials who are present might look at those schemes and get referrals out to them. Continuation would be ideal in that regard.

I wish to briefly address the issue of businesses and individuals that continue to fall between two stools. I know this strictly is not within the remit of the Minister's Department but there are many overlapping functions in this area at the moment. I am thinking specifically of the Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS, because there is still an issue for many sole traders who work from the home. Eamon Andrews, who lives in my community, is a photographer who works from his car boot with a laptop, a tripod and a camera. He does not have a physical premises and none of the supports so far have benefited him. There are still people falling between the stools.

Another issue of significant concern relates to ferry and boat operators. I was contacted last night by Shannon Ferries and Killaloe River Cruises, which runs boats that go up and down the River Shannon. Those companies have fallen outside many of the supports put in place by the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Social Protection and Revenue. They are falling between the stools and they really need the CRSS to be extended to encompass entities that are semi-dependent on tourism but also provide vital transport links. The companies in question are kind of falling between Departments. I ask that the Minister champion their cause. I think she gets how difficult their scenario is. Shannon Ferries has been operating for 52 years but it is now really struggling. Although it is not on the brink, it will need Government support as it continues to support the community.

I will raise two final points and I would appreciate it if the Minister could respond in the remainder of my time before I pass over to Deputy Durkan. Responsibility for SUSI grants rests with the Minister's Department to a certain extent as there are elements of paperwork that are furnished by the Department. However, the difficulties that people have had in the past year are not being fully taken into account. The years do not perfectly align with the calendar year from 1 January to 31 December. There has been a shock to the economy as a result of Covid and that needs to be taken into account. A business that was going quite well on 28 January 2020 may have been decimated by now.

The final issue I wish to raise is that of PPS numbers. There is still a real lag in PPS numbers being generated by the Department. Many people are still waiting on PPS numbers and I ask for that to be examined. I ask the Minister to briefly respond to some of those issues.

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