I wish to ask the Taoiseach about the announcement made yesterday about the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, to only extend access to it for an additional week when we are in the most uncertain of times in relation to Covid. Work will continue to be uncertain throughout the summer months. I listened to restaurant owners on the radio this morning who are dependent on weather apps to see whether they can open for dinner on a given evening. People who lose work beyond 7 July, through no fault of their own, should be able to access the PUP. I do not understand why we are locking out new entrants to that payment. This is particularly important for young people who will not get a jobseeker's payment, like other workers, of €203. They will get a payment of €112.70. The very least we can do for these young people is ensure they will have adequate income when they lose work through no fault of their own. Will the Government maintain the PUP at the current rate, keep it open until at least the autumn and then review it, to ensure young people do not suffer further regarding this?

We extended the PUP and the deadlines in terms of new applicants in light of advice received on Monday evening regarding the Delta variant. We have done that, we have extended it which shows our flexibility in keeping these schemes under review. It has been an unprecedented intervention by the Government across the board in protecting jobs and supporting hospitality through the Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS, and through a variety of other schemes, in addition to the PUP in terms of students and young people. That also needs to be acknowledged.