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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020

Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Questions (91)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

91. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if in the interests of supporting a fair economic recovery, he will continue to provide full income supports to workers in sectors particularly hard hit by the impact of Covid-19 and the public health measures (details supplied); if he will establish specific tailor-made financial packages of support for these workers and sectors and urgently engage with these workers sectors in a suitable forum to discuss with them the way in which such supports can best be designed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8276/20]

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Written answers

In response to the Covid 19 Public Health emergency, the Government developed a suite of measures designed to support households and businesses that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic and the restrictions that were put in place as a result. These measures include temporary income support for individuals by way of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS).

As Minister for Finance, I have direct policy responsibility for the TWSS; the PUP is a matter for the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

The legislation underpinning the TWSS is set out in Section 28 of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020. The legislation and the scheme itself were developed to support the Government objective of providing assistance to employers and employees that have been seriously affected by the pandemic.

The TWSS in its current form allows the concentration of resources to protect incomes, in a proportionate way having regard to available resources, employer contribution and the broader suite of COVID-19 related supports put in place by the Government.

The future of the TWSS remains under review and an announcement will be made in due course. I acknowledge that certain sectors will face particular challenges into the future as we gradually re-open our economy, and this is one of many factors that I take account of in my current deliberations.

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