Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with everything Deputy Leddin said.

The pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, has been a very effective support mechanism for thousands of people who were rendered unemployed overnight. Thankfully, many of them are now exiting the PUP support because they no longer need to avail of it. However, there are thousands in the entertainment sector who will find themselves on a very rocky road back to work. It is not a sector that can be switched on or off overnight; doing so will take a considerable period. The way it is now proposed to shape the remaining months of the PUP is very problematic for those who work in that sector. Ultimately, they will transition to what has been described as a jobseeker's payment. These people already have jobs and they are very anxious to get back to those jobs, which they love. They are prevented from doing so. I ask that the Government urgently consider the criteria attaching to the PUP to ensure those who have jobs but are prevented from returning to them can continue to have access to adequate payment to support them and their families.

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