Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I raise two issues. I am sure many Members will have heard Flora Crowe, the supermarket owner from Sixmilebridge, County Clare, on the radio this morning. It really was startling to hear what she, and indeed so many other small businesses, are facing at the moment. She received an electricity bill for €20,000 and has made a very clear call on the Government to save rural towns and villages because they are facing bills they just cannot pay.

I understand there are restrictions under EU rules but I have a couple of requests. First, the temporary business energy support scheme needs to be implemented as soon as possible. The other point that was clear when listening to Ms Crowe this morning is that the 40% rebate on the difference between the old bill and the new bill will probably not be enough. I acknowledge there could well be restrictions in terms of the EU Commission in this regard but we need to have a debate about this and take a more holistic approach. These very small businesses are facing other cost items in terms of stock, fuel, insurance and so on and we need an holistic approach to understand how we can support them. If we were to lose businesses in our small villages and towns, the impact would be quite devastating. I call for a debate on this issue.

The second issue I raise relates to front-line workers who have not yet received the pandemic bonus payment. I credit the Labour Party Members who brought these workers into the House to meet us two days ago. These workers include contract cleaners, contract security staff and contract catering staff. These people operated at the cutting edge during the worst days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Indeed, some of their colleagues died from Covid-19 as a result of working in hospitals. They were front-line workers at the worst of times and it beggars belief that they are still waiting for the payment of this bonus.

I know this issue has been raised by others. What I am hearing contains a concerning degree of ambiguity. We are being told these workers will be paid if they meet the eligibility criteria but none of us know what that means at this point. The fact that their HSE colleagues have, by and large, now received the bonus while these workers have not, is a cause of huge distress to them. Let me be clear. This is not about the money but about respect and valuing these people. When I met the workers the other day, I used that words that it is a national embarrassment that the Government has not yet paid these front-line workers. We were so proud to applaud these workers during the dark days of Covid-19 yet here they are, still waiting for the recognition for the work they did. I call for an urgent debate on this matter as well so that we can stand four-square behind these workers. Will the Leader consider writing to the Minister of Health to get clarity on what is happening here and to find out when they will be paid? The closer we get to Christmas, the more unacceptable it is. I hope this is an occasion where all Members of the Seanad will unite to support these front-line workers - the contract cleaners, the catering staff and the security staff - to ensure they get the bonuses which, by God, we all know they have earned.