Unemployment down but supports must be maintained for those still out of work

TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has said latest employment data from the CSO is positive and encouraging, but we must help workers who have lost their jobs or been laid off directly because of government public health measures by continuing state supports, like the PUP and providing a safety net while the pandemic continues to linger on.

Teachta Seán Crowe said: “Almost since the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced, Government and some in the business community have been spreading falsehoods about workers supposedly abusing it without any evidence. There is a narrative out there that workers who need the PUP are lazy or have never had it as good. The same is not said for businesses who are receiving similar subsidies and supports though.

“The latest CSO figures show that Unemployment has reduced to 6.9%, down from 20% this time last year. When workers on the PUP are removed, the figure is just 4.8%. The job vacancy rate for the hospitality sector in Ireland is actually lower than the EU average. “We often hear some in business community attack recipients of social protection supports but are only too happy to receive corporate welfare from the state themselves, including those whose workers have to rely on the Working Families Payment to make up for low wages.

“I want to voice my frustration that these unfounded claims attacking workers in receipt of the PUP continue to go unchallenged, especially given many politicians, Trade Unions, academics, and journalists have consistently provided the facts to disprove these claims. “The latest employment data is positive and encouraging, but we must help workers who have lost their jobs or been laid off directly because of government public health measures by continuing state supports and providing a safety net while the pandemic lingers on.”