Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

The particular reason I tabled this question on Monday on the extension for new entrants was because I was hearing in the background about clouds on the horizon with regard to the Delta variant etc. Many workers probably have gone back to begin the reopening and may have to go back on the PUP again. We do not know what is happening with regard to the Delta variant of the virus. We are told we will have to wait two and a half weeks or so to see what is happening in Scotland, in the UK, how it is impacting on hospitalisations and that type of thing. It is the responsibility of the Government to extend the application period beyond 8 July until at least the end of the month, mid-August or the end of that month. We do not know what will happen and the situation is more precarious than we had anticipated. It is now the Minister's responsibility to extend that period beyond what has been announced to give workers that peace of mind.

See this speech in context