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Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has spelt out his frustration at the lack of progress on providing adequate support for Cross-Border Workers by both the Executive and the Irish Government. While workers who live in the Republic could avail of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €350, those who work there but live here could not.
Mr McNulty said, "This area has a large number of Cross-Border Workers, many of whom work in the construction sector. These are both self-employed and PAYE employees. Many Cross-Border Workers both PAYE and self-employed have fallen through the safety net of supports through any of the schemes announced by either the Executive, the UK Treasury or the Irish Government. They are exploring every avenue and are finding that they are been passed from pillar to post with no money at the end.
"I have raised the issue with the An Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the First Minister, Deputy First Minister, Minister for Communities and the Minister for Finance. To date a solution has not been forthcoming. Many Cross-Border Workers who have paid their taxes and who have bills to pay and families to feed have been left without an income and many without any access to benefits are now facing real financial hardship.
"This week the Taoiseach has announced a plan to ease the restrictions and get some of the sectors back to work come 18th May. This is to be welcomed! However, we must ensure that all those Cross-Border Workers who return to work are not left behind without being recouped their loss of earnings. They have gone six to eight weeks without an income. I will continue to lobby hard for a package so that no hard working tax paying Cross-Border Workers are left behind."
