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Jobs retention initiatives and improving businesses\u2019 access to credit will be key focuses of a post-lockdown stimulus package, the Taoiseach has said.<\/p>\nJobs retention initiatives and improving businesses\u2019 access to credit will be key focuses of a post-lockdown stimulus package, the Taoiseach has said.<\/p>\n
Miche\u00e1l Martin expressed hope of having the fresh economic measures ready for implementation by the middle of July.<\/p>\n
Mr Martin and fellow Cabinet ministers met at Dublin Castle on Monday to discuss how best to continue to support workers and businesses as they deal with the economic shock caused by the pandemic.<\/p>\n
The Fianna F\u00e1il leader said the package would also concentrate on \u201cfine-tuning\u201d ongoing state support, such as the temporary wage subsidy scheme.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe important thing about the July stimulus is what will work quickly,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Martin said it was important to take comprehensive action prior to the next budget in October.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be a budget in October, there will be a more comprehensive economic plan of recovery developed, but this has to deal with the immediate situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
During a post-Cabinet media conference, Mr Martin also said Ireland would be led by scientific advice when it came to the potential easing of foreign travel restrictions.<\/p>\n
On calls for proactive enforcement of new regulations to wear face masks on public transport, the Taoiseach insisted \u201ccompliance takes time\u201d and expressed confidence more people would start to wear coverings.<\/p>\n
T\u00e1naiste and business minister Leo Varadkar said the economic package had to be of sufficient scale to deal with Ireland\u2019s economic problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are facing a very serious mass unemployment crisis in Ireland, mass unemployment and potential mass insolvencies of businesses,\u201d said the Fine Gael leader.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it has to be at scale, it has to meet the scale of the challenge. Secondly, it does need to be done quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Green Party leader and minister for climate action Eamon Ryan said the Cabinet had \u201chit the ground running\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there is a very good working relationship already between the three parties,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Cabinet is working effectively, we have to make a quick and collective start on leading the country out of a very difficult situation.\u201d<\/p>\n