Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I should mention and remind the House that we have the largest budget ever dedicated to housing in this State at over €3 billion. The raft of legislation before the House today is to support businesses. That is what this Bill is about. It is about supporting small and micro companies and medium-size companies. It is incredible. Previously, there was legislation about the Government providing more accessible and cost-efficient ways to help rescue companies and restructure them as needed, especially when going through difficult trading periods. It is crucial that we highlight the three things mentioned by the Minister. The employment wage subsidy scheme, which the Minister mentioned in his opening remarks, has supported over 50,000 employers, with 600,000 people having received support from the scheme which was brought in by this Government to support employees during the lockdown and the crisis last year.

I also welcomed the restart week. That is between 2 June and 31 December, which equals three weeks at double rate of pay. That is very welcome. I am thinking in particular of micro enterprises, which have between three and nine employees. That is over 90% of businesses in Ireland. These are the ones that need our support and are going through a huge crisis. They could include the construction sector or subcontractors, and shops in our local towns and villages, particularly in the areas I come from in Roscommon and Galway, where it is crucial. Some of these micro enterprises have been shown to have the highest level of ambition in the west. They target themselves and see themselves as exporting abroad as well as operating in Ireland. These supports are crucial to keeping these businesses going. More than one third of our micro enterprises are female-led.

The extension of the 9% VAT rate until 31 August is crucial for hospitality and tourism. We are trying to support a safe and sustainable reopening in the coming months, so that is very welcome. The debate so far has focused on one section of the Bill. It has prompted many different opinions. It is crucial that we get housing built. Look at all the local authorities. Housing is in such demand. There is no housing in my area and local authorities have none. How will we ensure that social, public housing is available for local authorities? We need action and we need to get moving. That is what this Government is about. That is the budget that we put in place this year and in coming years to get social housing done as quick as possible. If certain parties are voting against housing, how will that support us in delivering what we need for this country now?