I wish to share my time with Deputy Crawford. I understand fully why the Minister cannot be in the House this evening. His office contacted me earlier today to explain that he was in Belfast earlier and in the affected area.
The news from County Louth this morning has rightly put this country in a state of national alert. The consequences of a full-scale outbreak of foot and mouth disease throughout the island of Ireland would have a devastating effect on the economy and the new found wealth which has been produced in recent years. Since the outbreak of foot and mouth in the UK just four weeks ago, the effects of this disease in terms of employment have already seen significant numbers of people temporarily out of work. The precautionary measures that were taken over the last few weeks and the curtailments in trade have resulted in many people losing work in some exposed sectors of the economy. We have already seen a significant downturn in tourism, transport, food processing and the catering and leisure industries.
In this context, the role of the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs will be absolutely crucial in providing people with financial support in what are very difficult times. The prospect of widespread unemployment as a consequence of the foot and mouth disease must be taken seriously by the Government. Many people who have seen a period of uninterrupted employment may well face into an uncertain future in the weeks ahead. We have a huge responsibility to help everyone who has lost their job as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. The Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs must be proactive in reaching out to people who are temporarily out of work. Despite the actions of the Department during the past three weeks, a totally new response is now required to meet the challenge head on. I hope the Minister will review the role played by his Department to date in assisting people who have lost their jobs.
First, the Minister should join with other ministerial colleagues in co-ordinating on a daily basis the response of his Department to this crisis. I understand that on 12 March the Minister informed local social welfare offices throughout the country to identify the total number of customers laid off as a result of the foot and mouth disease. It would be useful to know the total number of people in this category to date. It would also be useful to provide additional staff in the Department's local offices in parts of the country where there is a high dependence on industries that could be affected by the foot and mouth outbreak.
Second, the Minister should introduce an aggressive public information campaign, highlighting the exact range of entitlements to which people are entitled if temporarily out of work. The Department should immediately put in place a free phone service to directly inform people who have queries about their entitlements.
Third, in order for people to obtain unemployment assistance, there is a requirement that they must be "genuinely looking for work". There will be a certain group who can find work during this period but for the vast majority of people who are laid off, their local social welfare office would be the first port of call. I expect the Minister to issue instructions to local officers in his Department advising officers to handle such cases with sensitivity and understanding.
Fourth, the fallout from the foot and mouth crisis will have a devastating effect on low income families where a significant portion of their income derives from part-time earnings or casual work. This group in particular needs to be supported and the current range of entitlements do not allow them to obtain financial support from the Department.
Tonight thousands of workers are concerned that their jobs might be on the line as a result of this outbreak. The Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs has a responsibility to provide them with assistance and support. The suggestions I have presented to the House are intended to help the Minister and his colleagues in coming to grips with the crisis. We all have a role to play to be constructive at this time.