Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2020
18. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if an extension of the temporary wage subsidy scheme will be considered for sectors and employers that continue to be affected by public health measures; his plans to discontinue, modify or taper payments under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16299/20]
View answer19. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reform the temporary wage subsidy scheme into a short-term work and training scheme akin to the German Kurzarbeit model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16292/20]
View answer62. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance if the operation of the temporary wage subsidy scheme will be examined in order that it is available to persons whose work is seasonal and increases in the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16275/20]
View answer64. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if the temporary wage subsidy scheme will be modified to allow employers to avail of same for seasonal workers moving from part-time to full-time hours during peak season (details supplied). [15815/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 19, 62 and 64 together.
The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) was introduced in March and was specifically designed to support firm viability and preserve the relationship between the employer and employee insofar as is possible through the lockdown period, in circumstances where the employer’s business had been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
It is acknowledged that this economy-wide scheme was developed in a very short period of time having regard to the overarching urgent Government objective of getting assistance to employers and employees as quickly as possible.
Since it was introduced, over 50,000 firms have availed of the scheme (which is almost a third of all employers from 2019). Over 500,000 jobs have been directly supported over the period and many more indirectly. This is considerable coverage and it is noted that the value of payments made to-date is over €2 billion.
As the public health restrictions are eased, the challenge for the economy and enterprises is evolving. Having regard to the novel circumstances surrounding the re-opening of the economy as well as the need to avoid the risk of forcing otherwise viable firms to close, it was announced early last month that the TWSS will remain until the end of August. Work is currently ongoing around how best to support employers into the more medium term, including consideration of support for seasonal workers and new hires. As per the commitment in the Programme for Government, it is planned that the July Jobs Initiative will set out a pathway for the future implementation of the TWSS.
