A local Senator has called on the government to introduce an additional package of supports Laois, Kildare and Offaly to protect people and businesses as the country enters Level 3.
As the three counties were already hit with a lockdown in August, Labour Senator Mark Wall has called for swift action to restore the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, extend the bank repayment break and restore the ban on evictions and rent increases.
The Athy-based Senator 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.”
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