Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister mentioned, it is very important that we commend the staff across the country who have worked in the PUP section throughout the pandemic. Many new staff were brought in and trained up very quickly. I know from personal experience that the level of service and their interaction with Deputies, as public representatives, has been excellent. I also commend the staff at my local office in Longford, who have excelled throughout this period. The staff of the Department of Social Protection were one of the first front-line cohorts to be mobilised in the face of the pandemic. They really answered the call, came to the fore, knuckled down and did an excellent job. I know the Minister is suitably proud of them and it would be remiss not to take this opportunity to commend them.

See this speech in context