Full PUP payments must be reinstated as lockdowns go on

Local Tallaght TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has called on the government to reverse cuts to the Pandemic Unemployment Payments, saying that, as lockdowns continue and see businesses closed, workers and businesses deserve clarity and support as they face these hugely challenging circumstances
 
Teachta Crowe said: “With Dublin facing the strong possibility of remaining in Level 3 and with Donegal having joined it in recent days, the recent reassessments of the Pandemic Unemployment Payments must be reversed. “Many workers will have only returned to work after months away to be told now that the business must close again.
 
“While this is a necessary public health measure, we cannot leave workers in the dark as to what supports are available. We certainly cannot tell them that they must now live on at least €200 a month less. Some have been cut by almost €600 a month.
 
“That simply isn’t credible when COVID spikes and county or regional lockdowns look set to be part of our lives for the foreseeable future. Workers need to know that if they are forced out of work, then there is a clearly defined support structure in place that does not change at the whim of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
 
“Workers and businesses deserve clarity and support as they face these hugely challenging circumstances. We cannot abandon them to huge stress and uncertainty at a time when so many people are already struggling financially”