Time is running out to delay PUP cuts

TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has warned the government that time is running out to halt planned cuts to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment which are due to take place on 7th September. Teachta Crowe said that the cut would only create unnecessary financial hardship for workers if the Government intend to reopen the economy in October and workers will be able to come off the PUP and return to work.
 
Teachta Crowe said: “There is now just one week left until the government’s planned PUP cuts are due to take place on 7th September. These cuts will see workers’ incomes slashed by €50 per week in many cases and by even more for others, including younger workers. “The clock is ticking on this vital issue and time is running out. Thousands of workers are anxiously looking to 7th September when their income is due to drop considerably.
 
“Their finances will be devastated by these changes, especially younger workers whose Jobseeker’s is capped at just €112.70 per week and can be even lower if they live at home with their family due to means testing. “This should not be happening while sectors remain shut due to public health advice. These workers are unable to return to work due to no fault of their own and are being prevented by the government from returning to work. It should follow that the government will not punish them unfairly for this. These workers are not unemployed; they have jobs already and are not seeking work elsewhere.
 
“There is now just one week left until these cuts kick in and so I am making another urgent appeal to Minister Heather Humphreys to do the right thing here and stop these cuts. “Workers in sectors which remain closed have been badly let down by this government, which has failed to properly engage with sectors and understand their needs. Minister Humphreys has gone into hiding in recent weeks and refused to come out publicly and explain to workers why she is insisting on ploughing ahead with these cuts despite sectors remaining closed.
 
“If the Government does proceed with their planned reopening of society in October, this cut would only create unnecessary financial hardship for workers as there is only a six week gap between the cut on 7^th September and when workers will be able to come off the PUP and return to work. “The government must do the right thing and treat workers fairly. These planned cuts to the PUP must not go ahead. While we are continuing to emerge from the pandemic and are hopeful for the future, the pandemic is not yet over for all sectors. “Time is running out but it is not too late yet for the government to do the right thing here and postpone these cuts. They must act as a matter of urgency.”