Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I first need to acknowledge the work being done by the people in the Department of Social Protection over the past year.

Is there any intention to consider those who have businesses and who are pension age or over? They were not entitled to the PUP even though they had money borrowed. Is there any intention to change that?

One of the vaccines we had hung our hat on is not being recommended in Germany for people over the age of 65. This could prolong our situation in Ireland. Will there be a commitment to continue the PUP as long as possible? It is imperative because if we do not keep the supports there for all the different employers around the country while they are closed, we will pay more in PUP and other social welfare payments in the future. Employers are under ferocious pressure with regard to rates and overhead charges. Will the Government commit to making sure these supports are continued? The simple reason is that there will be no jobs if the employers are gone.

On carers, I note what the Minister of State said earlier in response to Deputy Colm Burke. I have seen instances such as the person who works in Dublin and then goes home as a carer to mind another person belonging to them, and is means tested. We should understand that if a person is working and is means tested sometimes he or she will not pass the means test even though he or she has given up work completely. This carer is saving the State €800 per week because he or she would get €200 but it is €1,000 per week in a nursing home. Will some process be brought in to simplify that?

On the CE schemes, because of the PUP and what we have gone through in the past year with the virus, can all of the people who were on the three-year schemes have their time extended rather than looking at a few schemes and giving the nod for a few months? It is more difficult at the moment for people to be interviewed.

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