Businesses across the country are coming out of the Covid lockdown. In Donegal, they have been asking me whether the supports they and their staff received while in lockdown would continue if they chose not to open at this time. I have emailed the Tánaiste's office about this matter, but I have not been able to get a response. That is why I am raising it now. Will he respond, please?

The straight answer is, it depends on the scheme. For example, staff who have been laid off will retain the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, regardless of what their employers decide to do in terms of reopening. They have to be available for work, but that payment will not be taken away from them while they are laid off.

The employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, is based on a company's turnover and to what extent that turnover is down. The weekly Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS, payment is only paid if the company is required to close. If it is allowed to open but chooses to stay closed, it will no longer receive the weekly payment. We are giving an extra week's payment to all businesses that reopen in recognition of the fact that they need a little extra cash flow for their first week open.