Dáil debates

Tuesday, 1 June 2021

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions

 

2:15 pm

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach spoke about other sectors. The investment in other sectors is welcome, but it is not going to help people who will be unable to get a job by next February. Those people lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic. The Taoiseach has accepted that it will not be possible to reboot the economy by next February. What the is he saying to those people who will not get their jobs back by next February? He is saying to them that they can sustain a cut of 40% in their already low income. The Taoiseach will know from the studies that have been done that the basic social welfare payment is not sufficient to maintain any kind of life of dignity, yet the Government, by its actions, is forcing those people onto the breadline. What is the justification for cutting people's incomes by 40% when many of the jobs that were lost will not be reinstated by next February? We hope many new jobs will be created, but it is undoubtedly the case that there will be still high levels of unemployment among those people who have lost their jobs. What is the Government offering those people who cannot get a job by next February? At the moment, all it is offering them is a 40% cut in pay and that is going to drive them into poverty.

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