Mary supported the Covid 19 Finance Bill which will allow our government participate in €100b European Union solidarity fund dedicated to providing member states with financial assistance to respond to the exceptional financial circumstances caused by Covid19. 

Mary specifically called on Government to fund and support young people to secure employment, avoid unemployment and particularly avoid long-term unemployment. 

Responding to the pandemic young people demonstrated real solidarity with older more vulnerable people by putting their work lives and careers on hold. 

Due to the pandemic unemployment has spiked and those most effected are young people with 45% of all under 24yr old currently unemployed. 

Mary urged Government to be radical and ambitious.  To prioritise actions to protect young people and young workers from long-term unemployment, to restore sustainable employment and to provide young people with access to affordable housing.