Additional Package of Supports needed for Kildare, Laois and Offaly to protect People and Businesses after another move to Level 3
- With move to Level 3 swift action needed to reassure public with comprehensive package of supports.
- PUP payment levels and renter protections must be restored.
- Bank Repayment Breaks must be extended.
With Counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly again returning to Level three restrictions, and the hospitality industry facing huge new challenges, Senator Mark Wall called a package of supports for people and businesses, and swift action to restore the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, extend the bank repayment break, and restore the ban on evictions and rent increases.
Senator Wall said:
“With the budget due in a weeks’ time, we need certainty from the government on a package of supports for Kildare, Laois and Offaly now that the counties are in Level 3 restrictions again. As part of our budget proposals this year the Labour Party is calling for a commitment to continued financial support for people and businesses. As a priority the Pandemic Unemployment Payment should be restored to €350 per week, and a commitment given from government to continued financial support throughout next year. We need to support our local businesses and communities.
The Labour Party is also calling for a commitment to the extension of paid sick leave in the Budget. We also need to see substantial resources commitment to supporting those with disabilities, and a dedicated package of mental health supports. This will be a difficult winter, but we must all fight the pandemic together.
“But the government can’t just stop there. People must be helped too. The value of the pandemic unemployment payment must be urgently restored after being cut two weeks ago, and workers protected in their home with a ban on evictions and rent increases. The government should also look again at the level of support under the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme that were there at the beginning of the pandemic for businesses that may have to shut down or reduce their trading levels now.
“There must be a commitment of additional support for local authorities, and certainty that the council will be refunded for the commercial rates waiver, and additional grants to cover extra Covid costs. Now is also the time to rapidly expand the building of social housing to put people back to work, and address the housing crisis.
“However there is no point just throwing money at businesses if people, their customers aren’t supported too, and we need a comprehensive package from government covering renters and social protection payments.”
If you have any questions about this or any other issue concerning you please contact me on Email mark.wall@oir.ie Or Call 083 334 1488 Senator Mark Wall Labour Party Spokesperson on Defence, Tourism and Sport