Coronavirus: Executive calls for extension of furlough scheme
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Stormont's finance minister is to write to the Treasury calling for an extension to the job retention scheme.
The executive supported Conor Murphy's proposal following its meeting on Thursday.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she hopes drink-only pubs in NI will receive a new indicative date to reopen next week.
The initial date has been postponed twice due to a rise in transmission of the virus in NI in recent weeks.
The government's coronavirus furlough scheme began winding down this week, with companies using the scheme now having to contribute to workers' wages before it ends in October.
More than 200,000 workers in Northern Ireland were furloughed after the lockdown began in March.
'No magic money tree for executive'
Department for the Economy officials have previously warned that the end of the furlough scheme could cause more difficulties for employment in Northern Ireland.
Speaking at Stormont, Ms O'Neill said the executive had "limited fiscal powers" and needed the scheme to be extended in order to support workers.
"We're going to have thousands of people without employment in the coming weeks and months," she said.
"The furlough scheme is the way to support people, there's no magic money tree for the executive.
"We're facing into the winter it will be so difficult with Brexit and coronavirus ongoing."
Ms O'Neill also announced a new indicative date for soft play areas in NI to reopen - 14 September - although it will need to be ratified by the executive nearer the time.
Their initial date to reopen of 7 August was scrapped due to concerns about cleaning and maintenance of such areas.
Executive ministers had also discussed the impact of Covid-19 on pubs in NI, although no decision was taken on whether drink-only pubs can reopen yet.
A previous indicative date of 1 September for reopening the so-called "wet pubs" was abandoned last week.
Ministers discussed what kind of financial support might be provided to the wet pubs if they remain closed and whether a tougher enforcement regime should be introduced.
But Ms O'Neill said there was still "a lot of work" to be done.
One argument made by the hospitality industry is that tightening restrictions and cracking down on establishments which flout the regulations might enable more pubs which abide by the rules to open.
Appearing before Stormont's health committee on Thursday, Mr Swann responded to the increase in prohibition notices issued by the PSNI.
Twenty-three notices have been issued since bars were allowed to reopen in Northern Ireland on 3 July.
Mr Swann welcomed the move and said a return to "simple messaging" from the executive had been working too.
"We've always had powers and regulations but it was about the enforcement. That wasn't necessary before but now that step is being taken by the PSNI, it reinforces the messaging."
Driving test backlog
Earlier, Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon rejected a claim that delays to booking driving tests are a "fiasco".
The plight of learner drivers who have been delayed in taking their driving test was raised at an emergency meeting of Stormont's Infrastructure Committee.
The minister told the committee that the pandemic had "reduced capacity and caused disruption".
Ms Mallon refuted allegations from some politicians that the backlog is "a fiasco" and said her number one priority was keeping customers and staff safe.
A number of MLAs have raised concerns over a backlog of about 3,800 tests.
Ms Mallon told a Stormont committee that her department was working hard to deal with the backlog which she said would be cleared in six to eight weeks.
She said testing had begun in centres in Northern Ireland with the exception of Craigavon.
Ms Mallon said the booking service would open in October and she confirmed that a range of options were being looked at to try and reduce the backlog.
More recruitment of examiners and extended opening hours are two options under consideration.
Brexit concerns
The first and deputy first ministers were also expected to hold an online meeting with Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove and the Scottish and Welsh first ministers on Thursday about the ongoing Brexit trade deal talks.
A meeting of Stormont's agriculture and environment committee on Thursday was told that Northern Ireland businesses have still yet to receive answers to more than 60 questions to government about the impact of Brexit.
Representatives of farmers, food processing and supermarkets told MLAs that time was running out and clarity was needed quickly.
The Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group warned consumers could face reduced choice and greater cost.
Welcoming the announcement of £355m in government funds to help businesses deal with red tape like customs paperwork was welcome news, however, issues such as claims there will be unfettered access for NI produce entering the Great Britain market, still need to be addressed.
Ms Mallon said her department was working hard to provide appointments and said there were five tests scheduled on a daily basis compared to six before the pandemic.