Dáil debates

Wednesday, 2 June 2021

National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Statements

 

4:50 pm

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I too welcome some aspects of this plan. The VAT rate certainly must be maintained. I thank the county council officials for dealing with the rates waivers and the social welfare officers who have dealt with people meaningfully during the lockdown, which was imposed for too long. We caused all of this trouble. I am very disappointed that we are getting somewhat less than €1 billion out of €750 billion. Where is the solidarity?

Turas Nua is not fit for purpose and we should not be spending 40% or 50% of these funds on green initiatives. That is bonkers and if it is not stopped our economy will be flattened. It is idealistic poppycock and is not sustainable for Ireland. With regard to jobs, I have been talking to hoteliers and business people and the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, especially for students, must be looked at. We must come up with an Xs and Os system or allow them to work 20 hours a week or something because the hospitality industry cannot get workers. We also cannot get tradespeople. Turas Nua and other bodies are not good enough at organising tradespeople. We want tradespeople to deal with our issues. The Road Safety Authority and those dealing with driving licensing and theory tests are also incompetent. The Government feels these services are not essential. Some 100,000 people are waiting. If we want our economy to recover, we must get rid of all of these blockages and loopholes. We also have to look at flexibility to allow people in receipt of PUP to work, perhaps, as I suggested, on an Xs and Os system. Something must be done in this regard.

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