A Local Minister has rejected claims that the stimulus package will bring austerity and lacks ambition.
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys has defended the plans for the €7.2 billion stating that it will go a long way to sustaining businesses, and securing jobs.
She says that while they have extended the reduced PUP to next April, the aim is to encourage people who are unemployed to re-skill, or up-skill through a €200 million investment in training and apprenticeship schemes.
Minister Humphreys also urged people to look at new opportunities like retro-fitting, which has received a €100 million cash injection, or expanding their businesses locally through the town and village renewal scheme.
The scheme has received €10 million in the plan and she is hopeful that local authorities will work with the businesses owners to see if they can develop further from their existing premises.
Minister Humphreys has also suggested that businesses look into whether or not they are eligible for the Employment Wage Support Scheme which will be running until April also, and will include both existing and new employees.
Speaking to Shannonside Northern Sound she said she was confident the numbers receiving the PUP would continue to decrease thanks to the stimulus package thus alleviating a large increase in the numbers of people signing on for the job seekers in the coming months.
