SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has written to Tánaiste Simon Coveney and the First and deputy First Ministers today with a proposal that the North South Ministerial Council should begin work on a bespoke package to support cross-border workers who are falling through the cracks of coronavirus support schemes.
The Foyle MP has also urged the Irish Government to forgive Pandemic Payments made to cross border workers in error before the full details of the scheme were publicised.
Said Mr Eastwood: “The support packages put in place by the British and Irish Governments to assist workers and businesses through the COVID19 crisis have been substantial and they’re welcome.
“There are a number of cross-border workers, however, who are falling through the cracks and feel totally isolated.
“I have received messages from people resident in the North but who work in the South and have paid their taxes their whole working life.
“They cannot understand why they are not entitled to access the Pandemic Payment scheme operated by the Irish Government.
“And worse, in some cases people received a Pandemic Payment and are now being asked to return the money.
“That situation cannot continue.
“I have written to the Tánaiste and to the First and deputy First Ministers today proposing that the North South Ministerial Council prepare a bespoke package to support cross-border workers at this extremely difficult time.
“As our island-wide coordination and cooperation to defeat this virus grows, we cannot abandon those working across the border.
“I have also urged the Irish Government to forgive Pandemic Payments that were processed in error before the full eligibility rules of the scheme were publicised.
“We must do everything in our power to protect workers across this island from additional hardship as a result of the COVID19 outbreak.”
