Robert Troy
Question:283. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if he will make changes to the TWSS and EWSS to allow persons over 70 years of age and still working to be in receipt of same (details supplied). [37005/20]
View answerTuesday, 17 November 2020
Questions (283)
Written answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that there are no age restrictions for any of the Covid-19 related schemes that are under the remit of my Department including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and its predecessor the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS).
The TWSS was in place for 22 weeks between 26 March and 31 August. It was introduced as an emergency income support for employees of vulnerable firms (where turnover had reduced by at least 25% during Q2 while the strictest public health measures were in place) and was paid via the employer so as to maintain employment links between the employee and employer insofar as was possible.
Since 1 September the EWSS has completely replaced the TWSS. The EWSS is an employer subsidy to help support viable firms and encourage employment. The level of subsidy given to the employer is based on the number of paid workers on the payroll per week, applying prospectively so that claims may be made for new hires and seasonal workers. Subject to the other relevant qualifying criteria being met, there is no restriction on persons who are over 70 in the application of the EWSS. The primary qualifying criteria for the EWSS is the “turnover test” and has been specifically designed to target the subsidy at otherwise viable employers whose businesses continue to be adversely impacted by COVID-19 by requiring a comparison of the firm’s pre-pandemic operations with their current operations. The legislation provides that the employer must be able to demonstrate that they are operating at no more than 70% in either the turnover of the employer’s business or the customer orders received by the employer by reference to the period from July to December 2020 compared with the same period in 2019. The employer must have a tax clearance certificate to be eligible to join the EWSS and must continue to meet the requirements for tax clearance throughout the scheme.
Question No. 284 answered with Question No. 252.
Question No. 285 answered with Question No. 272.