Small and medium Irish employers are warning that the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is acting as "a significant brake" on returning workers in certain sectors of the economy and should be "tapered" faster than currently planned.
Neil McDonnell, the CEO of Irish Small and Medium Enterprises (ISME), told an Oireachtas Committee that this is affecting sectors including agriculture, hospitality, beauty services and accommodation.
The Joint Committee for Trade, Enterprise and Employment is considering challenges around the reopening of businesses shut down during the pandemic.
Mr McDonnell said that "significant disincentives" to returning to work exist in the €18,000 - €30,000 income bracket and is a "particular issue" for part-time