Pubs and restaurants could reopen for outdoor service as soon as the end of May, under plans being discussed by senior ministers this evening.
The Taoiseach will tomorrow outline the Government’s plan for reopening the economy over the coming months.
The Cabinet sub-committee will discuss opening hospitality for outdoor service at the end of June – although some sources believe the reopening could be delayed until June.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan also suggested this afternoon that the €9 ‘substantial meal’ rule will be scrapped when pubs get the green light to reopen.
Inter-county travel is also expected to return in June, alongside the reopening of hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses.
Meanwhile, the services that are expected to return in June include personal services, retail, construction, outdoor training, religious services and museums.
In the Dáil this afternoon, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald urged the Government not to phase out support payments for any industry that remains closed after June.
“They are already dealing with the stress of not knowing when they will be able to earn their living again and all the while trying to keep their families safe during this pandemic.
“So, the pressure on them is immense Taoiseach and the very least they deserve is certainty that the income supports on which they depend will not be pulled from under them.”
She was speaking following reports the €350 Pandemic Unemployment payment will begin to reduce from June and will gradually drop back towards the €202 Jobseeker’s Allowance rate.
On The Hard Shoulder earlier in the week, People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith described the plans as “criminal.”
Deputy McDonald said any decision to phase out the supports “would be grossly unfair” and warned that it “would be devastating for these families.”
The Taoiseach said the Government had “made it very clear there will be no cliff-edge fall-off in the supports."
“We got ahead well in advance to say the supports will continue until the end of June,” he said.
The Cabinet sub-committee is meeting this evening ahead of a full Cabinet meeting tomorrow.
The Taoiseach will address the nation after Cabinet.
