Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to lend my support to the businesses that are being affected by the pandemic, in particular those in the hospitality industry. As late as this morning, I heard that a small boutique hotel within my own area in Limerick has been hit by a number of cancellations. The owners had employed staff to facilitate what was expected to be a busy weekend. It is people's personal choice to cancel, but because they are cancelling businesses are being affected.

The employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, is being reduced today. I compliment the Government in terms of the supports that it has kept in place throughout Covid and I understand that they have to be reduced. In light of the new variant, there is a fear factor out there. I heard from the owner of a small restaurant that on one night this week, 100 people cancelled. It was not a group of 100 but small groups and individual bookings. It is frightening. The restaurant owners have incurred huge cost in terms of employing staff and bringing in food. The Government needs to consider extending the EWSS for another couple of months. The hospitality sector is hitting a very turbulent time and there is a lot of uncertainty there.

I also want to speak about the mica scheme announced yesterday. I welcome the scheme. Limerick was accepted into the pyrite remediation scheme around February of this year. A number of households in Limerick have submitted applications but they still have not received confirmation that their costs will be met. That is frightening given we are almost one year down the road. While they have been accepted, there has been no communication from the Department. I ask the Deputy Leader to raise that with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. At this stage, something needs to happen for these residents.