Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. I do not disagree with anything he said. However, we need to focus on certain sectors which he already identified in his response to previous questions, specifically the food and hospitality sector. As I said already, that sector is under acute pressures including as a result of quite a number of Government measures which are incredibly welcome but which in the current climate have placed significant strain on their margins. As the Minister knows, energy prices are increasing and the costs of the goods that they are supplying to their customers are increasing. The costs of being an employer have increased, and that is becoming an issue. I do not think it is as widespread as was portrayed in certain quarters but it is becoming increasingly obvious to me from the number of businesses that have been in touch, that there are constraints in respect of which the Department can provide further support. The Minister already mentioned the grant scheme, which is welcome. Getting it out as quickly as we possibly can is critical to businesses, particularly as we come out of winter.

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