Employment Subsidy Scheme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 December 2009

Wednesday, 2 December 2009

Questions (63)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

85 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the new eligibility criteria applying to the second round of the employment subsidy scheme will be announced; the efforts that will be made to advise the public, and especially enterprises, of the changes in the eligibility criteria; if the scheme will be extended to companies who do not fall within the remit of enterprise development agency support from Enterprise Ireland; if there will be support for companies in sub-supply sectors, such as in the food industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44339/09]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The new eligibility criteria applying to the Second Call of the Employment Subsidy Scheme will be announced shortly. Officials from my Department and from Enterprise Ireland are currently in the process of finalising all of the details of the revised eligibility criteria.

I recently issued a Press Release in relation to the Second Call of the Scheme, specifically to inform the public that a Second Call was imminent and would be based on broader eligibility criteria. The Second Call will be open to both exporting and non-exporting firms. Enterprise Ireland who are managing the Scheme will be placing advertisements in national newspapers calling for applicants for the Scheme and they will update their dedicated website with details of the new scheme. I can confirm that the Second Call to the Scheme will also be open to companies who do not fall within the remit of my Department’s enterprise development agencies.