Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Deputy in advance of tomorrow. It is great to know that this week 100,000 citizens from throughout the country will be getting either their first or second jab. This will continue in the weeks and months of this year. In any decision the Government will make regarding supports in future there must be a balance. We cannot keep the supports we have in place in an unchanged format forever but I have never met an employer who wants to be on the scheme. Employers who set up their own companies want to be standing on their own two feet, covering their own bills and covering their own wages and not reliant on the State for help to do it. On the other hand, any change in the scheme that is too sudden or quick will run the risk of creating big challenges for employers and their viability. We are trying to get the balance right and I believe we have done so to date. We will continue to monitor closely how the scheme is operating and whether it offers us any guidance on the design of the scheme in future.

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