Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy that it is commendable that the public have responded to the public health measures of recent weeks in terms of reducing socialisation and general congregation. That does have an impact on certain sectors. About a quarter of employers on the EWSS are in hospitality while about 40% of employees are in companies in the hospitality sector. The EWSS is an economy-wide scheme which applies to all sectors, some that are doing very well right now. It has been the most successful intervention the Government has introduced, the objective being to keep jobs intact with companies so that when better times arrive they can be very viable and rebound. That has worked since March. We have always stepped up to the plate in terms of intervening in the economy to protect jobs. In that context we are keeping this under continuing review and will revert back.

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