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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Short-time work support

Summary

Deputy Clarke described aviation and cabin crew workers losing income and having short-time work support cut off or reduced. After clarification, the Tánaiste said he would find the correct Department and ask the line Minister to reply.

As the Tánaiste will be aware, cabin crew and many other workers have been on short-time work support in addition to reduced wages, which have been cut by as much as 40%. Some of these workers have now had that payment stopped. Others have been told by social welfare that they need to take a further substantial loss in earnings before they will be eligible for any other support. One lady was told that she had not taken a big enough pay cut by her employer.

These workers are not off work by choice. They are off work because of a global pandemic. If they could, they would happily go back to work in the morning, but they cannot. They cannot because of circumstances entirely outside of their control. However, now they also cannot keep up with food bills, rent and mortgage payments, light and heat bills. Will the Government urgently review this scheme with a view to suspending the rules around qualification to allow workers to retain that supplementary income?

Comment on this
Leo Varadkar The Tánaiste Fine Gael

I appreciate how difficult the past year has been for people working in the aviation sector. I represent Dublin West, a constituency where many people work in Dublin Airport and for airlines. While they were able to get by for a few weeks or months, it has become much more difficult because their income has been hit so hard for more than a year. A lot of financial support is being given to the airlines. They are major beneficiaries of the wage subsidy scheme. Grants are also being awarded to the airports.

Comment on this

Will the Government review this scheme?

Comment on this
Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

Let the Tánaiste respond.

Comment on this
Leo Varadkar The Tánaiste Fine Gael

To which scheme is the Deputy referring?

Comment on this

The short-time work support scheme for those on "Xs and Os".

Comment on this
Leo Varadkar The Tánaiste Fine Gael

We can. It does not fall under my remit. I am not sure under which Department's remit it falls. I will certainly find out and ask the line Minister to reply to the Deputy.

Comment on this