Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
223. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance the number of early years education services that have availed of the employment wage subsidy scheme in each week since 21 December 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10459/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that Section 28B of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 provides for the operation of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), which is an economy-wide enterprise support for eligible businesses in respect of eligible employees. It provides a flat-rate subsidy to qualifying employers based on the numbers of paid and eligible employees on the employer’s payroll and charges a reduced rate of employer PRSI of 0.5% on wages paid which are eligible for the subsidy payment.
While the criteria for eligibility for business in general is based on a reduction in turnover as a result of the pandemic, childcare businesses registered in accordance with Section 58C of the Childcare Act 1991 are eligible for the EWSS.
I am advised by Revenue that there are 2,903 registered childcare service providers, registered for the EWSS. Of the total 2,903 EWSS registered providers, 2,767 have availed of the EWSS between 21 December and 31 January. The figures presented herein represent estimates and are reported on a cumulative basis for the scheme to-date. It was not possible to identify the number of childcare service providers who availed of the scheme in each week since 21 December due to the mix of pay frequencies evident in the scheme operations.
