Estimates for Public Services 2020
Dail Éireann — 2020-05-28
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Mairéad Farrell (SF), Galway West

As a full-time student he is not eligible for unemployment assistance and due to the fact that he was not working in March, he cannot get the Covid-19 payment. What can we do to ensure that he can go back to college in September?
The last issue I want to raise is that of those over the age of 66. I will read out a heartbreaking email that I got from a constituent which shows the real-life impact of this on those over the age of 66. It states:
I am 68 and prior to the coronavirus pandemic, I was working as a bus driver, bringing children with disabilities from rural areas to their schools. Now that the pandemic has shut down schools, I have been put out of work.
I was not working just to pass time - I have a mortgage and bills to pay. My wife is 59 and is battling terminal cancer, and therefore unable to work. I am in receipt of the old age pension - however we depend on my wages to survive.
What can I tell this person? Since time has been cut short, I ask the Minister to respond in writing.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2020-05-28/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:48:19+00:00
Sitting date: 2020-05-28