Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I believe this legislation is to be welcomed and that it forms an important part of the economic recovery plan. It is crucial that we support businesses as public health restrictions are eased. Local businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. From speaking to businesses in my own county of Carlow, I know they have gone through a massively demanding time since March of last year. Nobody could have foreseen the fallout from Covid-19 or the way in which our lives were turned upside down by the health emergencies. However, we have adapted and we have learned to live with this disease. I strongly believe that, as a people, we will come out stronger from this.

I have been heartened by the way local businesses in Carlow have adapted to these trying times. It has been inspirational to see how people have come together and worked through this pandemic. One thing that has come out of Covid is that people have got such a big sense of community, and businesses are working together and helping each other, which is crucial. We have seen this happen, although it has been very hard.

To turn to the Bill, I am fully supportive of the extension of the employment wage subsidy scheme until the end of 2021. The extension and enhancement of the Covid restrictions support scheme is also welcome and provides additional supports to businesses upon reopening. It also gives certainty to businesses that are still affected by public health restrictions and certainty is something we definitely need in these most uncertain times. The new and additional business resumption support scheme that will be implemented in September 2021 is a welcome initiative.

Businesses will need all the help they can get as they get back on their feet following the unprecedented time we have all gone through. This legislation acknowledges the frail nature of firms in certain sectors as they emerge from the impact of public health restrictions. It is also about giving business a hand up, not just a handout. I welcome the announcement that businesses that remain closed or that are heavily restricted under the public health restrictions may make a claim for additional CRSS support. Initiatives such as the business resumption support scheme show that this Government understands what businesses have gone through since March of last year. We are all in this together and it is only by working together and looking after each other that we will get through these most challenging times.

The extension of the reduced 9% rate of VAT for hospitality and tourism until the end of August 2022 will provide continued support to the hospitality sector, which has been particularly affected by the public health measures introduced to tackle the pandemic. I hope it will help. It is a fact that many businesses have not yet been able to reopen and the extension of the reduced rate will provide for a long period to assist recovery in this sector. The reduced rate of 9% will apply to areas such as catering, restaurant supplies, tourism accommodation, cinemas, theatres, museums, historic houses, open farms, amusement parks and hairdressers. All of these activities are part of everyday life in our country but they all came to a shuddering stop because of Covid. This legislation will help these businesses in a practical way as they try to get back on their feet.

One thing we have all learned through this pandemic is that we took things for granted in our lives. I believe we have been able to gain a newfound appreciation for what we have. We are now seeing our world through new eyes. Never again will we take for granted activities such as meeting friends for dinner or visiting museums or parks. It is probably part of our culture but, like everything else, it is something people take for granted, for example, being able to give their mother or sister a hug, which was not possible when things were really bad. We have come a long way with the vaccine but the supports will be crucial.

Covid-19 has disrupted all of our lives. I spoke to a constituent today and I was taken aback by what she said. This woman was highly driven and ambitious and, having taken time off work to look after her sick mother, she sought to return to the workforce. She was interviewed for a role in the community employment scheme at the beginning of this year and, thankfully, she was successful in getting a position in Carlow. She went through all of the relevant stages for the role, including Garda vetting, and was looking forward to resuming employment. However, due to the pandemic, her starting date has been postponed, not once, not twice, but three times. In the meantime, her contributions to jobseeker’s benefit ran out and she was no longer eligible for the payment. As this woman is no longer receiving a social welfare payment, she is no longer eligible for employment through the CE scheme. The role in Carlow is still available for her but she is no longer eligible to take it up. She could have taken up other positions in the meantime, but this was the one she wanted and now, through no fault of her own, she is no longer eligible for it. As she told me today on the phone, she has been left in limbo by Covid. These are people who we should not forget as we try to get our country back on its feet. That example involves a woman I know well.

She is my neighbour and through no fault of her own, she has lost access to that scheme due to Covid. When I submitted an appeal about this to the Department, it told me that nothing could be done. Many small things are being forgotten. It is unacceptable. If we do not look after workers on the community employment schemes and others, they will have been forgotten due to the pandemic through no fault of their own.

Part of the Bill addresses housing. I firmly believe that everybody deserves a home. People in the Minister of State's constituency might come in, looking for housing. We need to finance housing and to have affordable housing. We need to make sure that everyone who meets the criteria to buy a home is able to buy one. When we pass these Bills, we need to make sure that we look after the most vulnerable people in society. They are sometimes forgotten.

As the country opens, we must be mindful of lessons learned. We must continue to look out for and value one another. I welcome this legislation. It will assist our businesses in a practical way as they seek to return to what they do best.

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