John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the front-line workers who have worked throughout this pandemic. I am very mindful today of all those who have lost loved ones in the pandemic. My family had a bereavement in that I lost my godmother. I realise how difficult it has been for families to grieve during the pandemic. I am particularly mindful today of all the affected families.

The Government's response has been extraordinary. It has provided an extraordinary amount of support to individuals, businesses, schools, sports organisations and communities throughout the country. It has been unprecedented; there is absolutely no question about that.

I would like to mention the circumstances of one sector, however. I am aware there have been discussions about it in the Minister of State’s Department. I ask him to examine again the circumstances of companies that do not own their own business premises. A catering company in a city, town or village will have received the restart grant, the restart plus grant, the rates waivers and, now, the Covid restrictions support scheme payment, but a catering company that operates from its owner's home will not have received any of those. I ask that this be considered.

Senator Keogan mentioned the credit guarantee scheme and said the banks are not lending to businesses. I would like to give the Minister of State an example of the opposite occurring. It concerns a business whose owner came to me a couple of months ago. I made the individual aware of the credit guarantee scheme and said it is not just for new lending. I totally appreciate that some businesses may not want to borrow at this time but they can actually refinance existing loans using the credit guarantee scheme. The business owner who approached me was advised by the business's accountant not to apply on the grounds that the application would not be successful. The owner applied on my advice and, within three days, had approval from the bank, thereby reducing the interest rate from 7% to 2.2%. The scheme has been extended until the end of June next year, which is very welcome, but the take-up has been low. Perhaps it has been low because people are saying the scheme is not working, and perhaps accountants around the country are telling businesses not to apply because they will not be approved. I suggest to them that they should apply. Where there is a refusal, the case can be taken to the Credit Review Office.

Senator Currie mentioned mental and physical health. Coming from a physical education background, I am a strong supporter of gyms. They made strong representations to remain open. I supported them in their calls because not all gyms are the same. Many personal training facilities worked exceptionally hard to try to segregate areas and to have only one, two or three clients in the building at the same time. I am not referring to the big gyms that we know of throughout the country. It is important that when we reopen the economy next week, it remain open. That is what businesses need. They need assurances that they are not just going to be closed again and that they will remain open.