Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to put on the record that we are proposing a recommendation to allow the Minister to alter either the rates of the subsidies paid to employers in respect of certain classes of employees or the reduction in turnover necessary for an employer of a certain class of businesses, such as those in the hospitality or tourism sectors, to qualify. We know that businesses are really on the point of having to close. It does not make sense not to build in the option of flexibility. I imagine that many businesses, particularly in the tourism sector, will wonder why the Minister of State will not adopt this measure. What is the actual reason for not adopting it? It does not commit the Government to doing anything right now, but gives it the option to offer additional support if the tourism sector plunges further between now and the next set of proposals. This is a common-sense proposal that does not commit the Government to anything today but allows for the extra support these businesses may need.