Clare Sinn Féin TD outlines “urgent’ Covid-19 priorities

CLARE Sinn Féin’s TD,  Violet-Anne Wynne, has outlined “urgent priorities” regarding the COVID-19 virus. These include providing social welfare aid to people who have to stay at home from work through illness or to mind their children.

“Issues requiring immediate attention, including legislation need to be passed at next week’s Dáil sitting. The social welfare system will have to adapt quickly to support families and workers facing job losses, loss of hours or sickness payments. Parents forced out of paid employment to care for children during this public health emergency must be supported,” the Kilrush based TD said.

“Families and workers have to be protected against evictions. A mortgage holiday must be provided for homeowners and no utility disconnections should happen. The childcare needs of frontline healthcare workers need to be met and Government must work closely with the doctor’s and nurse’s sector to find a solution quickly. Businesses also need urgent interventions including a three month deferral of VAT payments, a commercial rates holiday, a withdrawal of fees by the banks on cashless payments, an extension of loans and deferral of mortgage payments,” Deputy Wynne added.