Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

For the most part, Covid-related payments in the area of social protection have gone very well for most recipients. I acknowledge the provision of information on this subject, which Deputies were then able to pass on to employers and employees. It was very helpful. However, major difficulties remain for employers and employees. Some employers who have essential works cannot get people back to work because those employees might have underlying conditions or they may have to stay at home because their partner, husband or wife is in a front-line position. Those people cannot go back to work because they have no childcare facilities.

What happens to employers who need people to do the work? What can be done in that case? Staff must also be reassured that the PUP payment will not be taken from them if they do go back to work. People must also look at spending their holidays in Ireland and the revamping of the stay-and-spend tax rebates must be looked at again, in a similar format. Only €300,000 has been claimed under this scheme, yet €250 million was set aside for it.

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