Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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235. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment his plans to roll out a nationwide campaign to promote purchases from Irish websites and stores offering click and collect over the next six weeks in view of the closure of retailers as a result of the latest Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33716/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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During these difficult weeks for businesses, my Department is working with the Local Enterprise Offices on a local media campaign to support the ‘Shop Local’ initiatives that are already very active across the country. The purpose of this campaign will be to encourage communities to support businesses in their area by shopping locally and safely.

It is also important to note that while under Level 5 COVID-19 restrictions people cannot physically enter certain stores, they can continue to buy from them through ‘remote ordering’. Customers can place orders online or over the phone, and fulfil those orders by arranging for home delivery or collection.

This measure was introduced to encourage all of us to stay at home and to ensure fairness to those non-essential retailers who have had to close.