People Before Profit say new government measures on Covid 19
must also include mortgage, rent and utility bill amnesty for those who loose
income or employment as a result of the crisis
Richard
Boyd Barrett TD, reacting to the government announcement of new measures to
respond to the Covid 19 crisis, said:
“I am
glad the government recognised the points we made to them in the Dáil last week
that the €203 payment was totally inadequate and that significantly
increased income supports are necessary for everyone who loose income or
employment or who must stay at home as a result of the Covid 19 crisis.
“It
is also positive that they have responded to our call for more non-essential
closures and taking private healthcare capacity under public control. However,
the new measures must include a mortgage, rent and utility bill holiday for all
those who loose employment or income as a result of these absolutely necessary
public health measures. Because even with the enhanced income supports and
payments proposed hundreds of thousands will see significant reductions in
income and will be unable to pay already demanding and often extortionate
rents, mortgage repayments and utility bills.
“The
last thing that people need, who are abiding by public health advise and having
to stay at home, is to have financial pressure and worries of rent, mortgage
and utility bills.
“We
will be putting amendments to the legislation to this affect.”