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Pringle pushes Government to provide clarity on PUP and restore payments to proper levels
- Updated: 8th December 2021
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has called on the Government to bring legislation on PUP to the Dáil before the Christmas break, “to give people peace of mind”.
Addressing the Taoiseach today during Questions on Promised Legislation, Deputy Pringle criticised the Government for its lack of urgency on the matter, saying, “The lack of empathy for what people are suffering is astounding.”
Deputy Pringle said: “My offices in Donegal are inundated with calls related to the evisceration of the PUP, the lack of clarity around revamps to existing schemes, and how your government lacks understanding of life on the ground.”
The deputy noted that yesterday the Tánaiste told the media that: “Hopefully the Government can announce today (Wednesday) the financial supports for the entertainment sector,” and the Tánaiste went on to say, “It may well be the fact that we need to use the vehicle of the Seanad to do that in the next couple of days or, if not, we may be able to do it in the New Year.”
Deputy Pringle said: “It is unfair to leave this on the long finger over Christmas. You need to restore payments to a proper level for these workers affected by the current restrictions. And by a proper level, I don’t mean whatever level the Tánaiste’s right-wing, laissez-faire focus groups have arrived at.”
He asked the Taoiseach: “Will your government commit to bringing any required legislation before this House prior to the Christmas break, to give people peace of mind?”
