Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for his work on insurance. We have seen payouts come down by 50%, which will surely lead to a situation where people's premiums come down. I know he will keep a watchful eye on that. Over recent years, we have all seen issues, especially in the area of leisure and amenity, where children's playgrounds and play areas had huge insurance bills. We look forward to this changing. I ask the Minister of State and all of those involved in insurance to make sure that happens.

This legislation is welcome. It is a key part of the economic recovery plan to support businesses as public health restrictions are eased. As I mentioned in another debate, when research was done into the 2008 recession, small businesses were the key to revitalising and recovering our economy. We have to do everything that we can to help to support them. In my county, Kildare, 92% of our business world is in the SME sector. Some 92% of the rates in Kildare are paid by businesses that have a workforce of under ten, which is quite surprising considering that the north of the county is lucky enough to have such companies as Intel and Hewlett-Packard.

There is no doubt that the businesses we are talking about, many of which are family-owned, are the backbone of our economy. They have been hit especially badly by Covid and this feels like a time warp. This time last year, we were here to try to ensure that everything was in place to reopen in September, then it was Christmas, then Easter, and now we are here, hoping that we will have that opening on 19 July on a gradual basis and that things will be normal enough in September. We have a good vaccination uptake rate, which will certainly help us.

I know that what the Minister of State has contained in this measure acknowledges the frail nature of businesses and firms in certain sectors as they emerge from the impact of the public health restrictions. The Bill aims to ensure that such firms can continue to benefit from the EWSS and are not precluded from availing of it because business picks up in quarter 3, which is important. The extension and enhancement of the Covid restrictions support scheme has given a lifeline to businesses and companies over the past few months. That gives certainty to businesses, so it is welcome. I also welcome the new business support scheme. That is for businesses with reduced turnover as a result of public health restrictions. That will be implemented in September. As well as continuing with some of the proven mechanisms that have helped to keep our businesses alive, being able to add additional months is important. The extension of the reduced rate of VAT of 9% until 31 August is key.

The announcement that the reopening of indoor dining was not proceeding as planned on 5 July led to significant disappointment from those in the sector and those who were hoping to avail of it. It was a difficult call for Government. We are now close to seeing the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity, so businesses which remain closed or are significantly restricted by public health restrictions can make a claim for additional support under the CRSS for a further two weeks from 5 July. This amendment of the scheme to allow for an extra two weeks recognises the difficulties that places are in. This is good legislation, which can be extended if needed. We hope that it will not. I wish businesses well in the weeks and months ahead as we start reopening society.