Publicans and their staff must be supported due to ongoing closure – Seery Kearney

Fine Gael Senator Mary Seery Kearney said the Government must provide specific supports to publicans if they are unable to reopen at the end of the month due to Covid-19.

Senator Seery Kearney said, “I very much welcome that the Tánaiste has already indicated his willingness to consider the supports available to publicans, if because of public health advice, they can’t reopen at the end of the month.

“It has been a really challenging time for businesses across the country. And while the decision not to move to Phase 4 was a difficult one and is disappointing for many, the Government believes it was a necessary decision to make given the ongoing spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

“I know the Government is doing all it can to help businesses get back on their feet and a wide range of supports have been made available such as the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment , the Restart grant Plus , the Credit Guarantee Scheme and other measures announced in the July Stimulus Package.

“But we also recognise that the hospitality sector has been challenged most as a result of Covid-19.

“I have written to the Tanáiste today to highlight the particular circumstances of publicans. While it is necessary that we respect public health advice, it is also important that we red-circle those businesses who have been worst hit.

“The degree of panic and fear being felt by publicans, a lot of whom are family owned businesses, is not unreasonable when they face into a vista where their reopening date may be months away.

“I have urged the Tánaiste to reconsider what supports are available to them if they don’t open at the end of the month,” Senator Seery Kearney concluded.