The Sinn Féin leader has been called on the Taoiseach to end the “cloud of uncertainty” workers receiving pandemic financial supports have faced over the continuation of benefits, including the short-term payment for part-time workers. Ms McDonald said the Taoiseach should use that opportunity to give certainty to workers about their financial supports. Some 300,000 people are receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (Pup) and another 300,000 rely on the wage subsidy scheme. “They simply seek fairness.”The Taoiseach and Cabinet members have repeatedly set there will be no cliff-edge end to financial supports but the Sinn Féin leader said “it’s not good enough to say there will be no cliff edge. He added the Government’s plan was working with the return of construction, the re-opening of retail, the re-opening of schools and childcare.

Source: The Irish Times May 26, 2021 13:09 UTC