Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2515. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the budget allocation for the wage subsidy scheme in 2018; the number of persons availing of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33607/18]
View answerThe objective of the wage subsidy scheme (WSS) is to increase the likelihood of people with disabilities participating in the open labour market by making available a subsidy to private sector employers. The scheme operates by allowing employers to claim a subsidy, subject to certain conditions, against the cost of a ‘shortfall’ in productivity which may arise were a jobseeker (who has a disability) is employed. The scheme, depending on the number of persons with a disability employed, also provides for ‘top up’ payments to be made to employers: to cover, for example, additional supervisory or management costs and/or the cost of employing an employment assistance officer to support the particular staff within the company.
The subsidy is demand-led, in 2017 some €20.8 million was paid to private sector employers under the scheme, while year to May ‘18 some €9 million has been paid. There are currently circa 2,600 persons whose employer is receiving a wage subsidy under the scheme.
I hope this clarifies the issue for the deputy.
