Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I raise an issue that pertains to Aer Lingus workers. I am going to read from a letter I have:

I am a cabin crew member working for Aer Lingus. As you know, myself and my colleagues have been on reduced wages and working hours since March 2020 when the pandemic hit. Since November of 2020 up until now I have been on 60% of my wages and working hours. My employer is currently paying me through the EWSS and I am paying PRSI stamp A contributions since 1 September 2020. I have been claiming jobseeker's benefit since 1 September 2020 on the days I am not working. Myself and my colleagues have been begun to be notified by our local offices that this payment is now coming to an end. My local social welfare office informs me that I must experience further substantial loss of earnings from the 60% working hours I’m currently on in order for me to be able to requalify for casual jobseeker's benefit as per the law. I am writing to you today as we need an additional or alternative urgent income support to the EWSS to be set up for employees whose working hours are affected by Covid, in particular aviation workers. The EWSS alone is not effective in delivering for aviation. I ask you please to deal with this as a matter of urgency so myself and my colleagues do not have to experience weeks on the breadline with no additional welfare payments while a decision is made.

I ask the Minister to comment on that. Is he aware of that situation and what steps, if any, is he prepared to take?

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