Laois Chamber of Commerce CEO Bernie Everard has called on the government to extend the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme in Laois, Kildare and Offaly for a further three months.
Speaking to Midlands 103’s Will O’Callaghan this morning, Ms Everard revealed details of a call she was on with Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Minister of State Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility for Trade Promotion – Robert Troy.
She said that both men were sympathetic to the situation that the people of Laois, Kildare and Offaly now found themselves in.
The current wage subsidy scheme is set to come to an end at the end of this month but Ms Everard has requested an extension and also a compensation package for hospitality companies who lost money as a result of the re-imposition of restrictions.
She said: “We requested that they extend the temporary wage subsidy scheme beyond the end of August for three months for the three counties.
“We also requested compensation for the hospitality sector to cover the cost of the stock that they had purchased for the weekend before the restrictions were announced. And also for the next two weeks.”
Ms Everard also said that she highlighted the fact that Laois has far lower cases than Kildare and Offaly and, should that continue, asked for the county to be permitted to exit the lockdown earlier.
She said: “Laois really has much lower numbers than the other two counties and we don’t have a meat factory.
“So I did request that if the numbers stay low, that Laois may be permitted to leave the restrictions earlier.
“This was noted but they didn’t get any commitment. But we will see how the numbers pan out during the week.
“We fully understand the numbers and the science behind the decision. But at the same time, if the numbers remain low for the next few weeks, maybe Laois could be revisited.”
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