Wage Subsidy Scheme must be extended for aviation sector
Labour TD for Dublin Fingal, Duncan Smith has called on the Government to extend the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme for the aviation sector.
Deputy Smith said:
“I am calling on the Government to extend the temporary wage subsidy scheme for the aviation industry including vital support industries in order to stave off mass job losses in the sector. This should be conditional on the aviation industry protecting key regional routes, protecting core terms and conditions of workers and committing to ambitious carbon emission targets.
“It is clear that the aviation industry will be very slow to recover fully but we do need it to recover as it will be a key driver in returning our overall economy to good health. We are a small open economy and we need a vibrant aviation sector to help encourage trade and tourism.
“There are numerous other companies and workers which feed off Ireland’s aviation sector.
“If the Government is to work cohesively with industry to support the sector through State supports, these supports must also be available to those directly supporting the airlines and DAA such as ground handling, catering and cleansing.
“With State support should come conditionality in relation to the retention of jobs, the retention of key regional routes and firm commitments to meeting ambitious carbon emission targets.
“We need to ensure that all our airports and supporting companies throughout the country are sustained through this crisis. Mass layoffs and further neglect of the regions and their local economies would be a catastrophe for these areas and our ability to bounce back economically from this crisis.”