Night-time economy supports
Deputy Higgins raised reduced incomes in bars, restaurants, clubs and live entertainment due to new restrictions and asked how workers would be supported. The Minister said the EWSS is the best mechanism and expressed hope the measures would be temporary.
I want to raise an issue facing those working in the night-time economy. We have now gone from well over 500,000 people claiming the PUP down to 60,000. I really welcome that progress but I have been contacted by many constituents this week who own or who work in bars, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs. While they are glad they will be remaining open until midnight, their income will be reduced as a result. Those working in music and entertainment are seeing gigs being cancelled again. Their income will be hit and that is a fact. I support the Government's decision and agree that curtailing socialising is necessary right now, but we are also curtailing people's ability to earn an income and we need to support them financially. Will the Minister reassure those who work in the night-time economy that this Government will support them and that we have their backs?
Comment on this
We will support them. As I said earlier, the best mechanism for this is the EWSS because that gives a direct subsidy or support to employers to make sure they can continue paying their staff. I hope, more than anything else, these are temporary measures. Our vaccination rates show that we have thrown the book at it, and with further boosters coming, we will be able to live with Covid, avoid our hospital numbers going into the red territory and get back a semblance of normal life. The night-time economy is an important sector and an important part of our lives.