The Government is facing pressure to reinstate the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) as Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the current position “is not a runner”.
Both Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys have said the PUP will not be reopened despite Mr Martin admitting people in the nightclub sector may face closure.
Speaking in the Dail, Ms McDonald suggested it was "deeply insulting" for people who lost their jobs to be told to find another job.
She claimed that the Government was "only good at shutting things down" and that the Government had "effectively shut down the late-night industry with just 48 hours notice and no consultation.”
She said: "This shutdown stops thousands of workers earning money, the money they need to pay their bills.
“They and their families must be protected.”
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said it was "a source of regret" that Sinn Fein had taken a "divisive approach" and "exploited the pandemic for political ends.”
Mr Martin said the Government had supported industry and business on an "unprecedented scale" and continues to provide extraordinary support the "length and breath of the country".
Ms McDonald pressed the Taoiseach on the PUP issue, claiming the Government should not "throw thousands of workers under the bus" because of his "poor management and lack of leadership.”
Ms McDonald accused the Government of "dithering, delay and indecision" when it comes to rolling out booster vaccines and antigen testing as well as re-organising the health system.
The Taoiseach is also coming under pressure from members of Fianna Fail to reintroduce the PUP as Jim O'Callaghan said it should be reinstated if people who are affected by restrictions can’t find work elsewhere.
He said: "I think it is the case that if we are introducing measures that are going to affect the ability of people to earn employment, the state has to step in.
"If the state is intervening and people are being put out of their employment as a result of state intervention, there obviously is a requirement for the state to provide sufficient support.”
But he said that if there are other jobs available in hospitality, then people should take those jobs, adding that the Government has decided not to re-examine PUP as it believes there are jobs available in the hospitality sector.
