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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Questions (998, 1003, 1021, 1027)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

998. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if the pandemic unemployment payment will continue for months after mass gatherings are permitted again in order to assist the live events sector scale up its activities and begin to trade again. [14991/21]

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Gary Gannon

Question:

1003. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the pandemic unemployment payment and employment wage subsidy scheme until six months after mass gatherings are permitted again to adequately support the events industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15133/21]

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Brendan Howlin

Question:

1021. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered the admission of the events industry to supports and schemes (details supplied) until six months after mass gatherings are permitted again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15395/21]

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Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

1027. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the pandemic unemployment payment for the events industry until six months after mass gatherings are permitted again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15508/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 998, 1003, 1021 and 1027 together.

I am aware of concerns that have been raised regarding the pace of recovery for the live events sector, and that it has been suggested that the level of support be increased and/or that the application of some of the new State supports should be delineated on the basis of explicit sectoral qualification criteria. However, the reality of COVID-19 is that our whole economy and labour market have been rapidly transformed by this unprecedented shock and nearly all sectors have been negatively impacted either directly or indirectly.

The objective of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is to support all employment and maintain the link between the employer and employee insofar as is possible. The EWSS has been a key component of the Government’s response to the continued Covid-19 crisis to support viable firms and encourage employment in the midst of these very challenging times. To date, payments of over €2.3 billion and PRSI credit of at least €400 million have been granted to over 48,000 employers in respect of over 541,000 workers.

I have been clear that there will be no cliff-edge to the EWSS and, as the Deputies will be aware from announcements made on Tuesday 23 February, it has been decided that the scheme is now to be extended until the end of June 2021. 

With the agreement by Government on the revised plan, COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead, a cautious and measured approach will be taken as we lay the foundations for the full recovery of social life, public services and the economy.  It is therefore appropriate that key business supports should remain in place until the end of June 2021.

As the revised plan is implemented, the EWSS will play an important role in getting people back to work as public health restrictions are eased, thereby reducing the numbers dependant on social welfare payments over time, including the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). 

Consideration is being given to the fact that continued support could be necessary out to the end of 2021 to help maintain viable businesses and employment and to provide businesses with certainty to the maximum extent possible. Decisions on the form of such support will take account of emerging circumstances and economic conditions as they become clearer.

In relation to the tax debt warehousing, I would note that the legislation provides that Period 2 may be extended by Ministerial order but cannot extend beyond 31 December 2022.  This is to ensure compliance with EU State Aid rules, provided for under the EU Temporary Framework for State Aid measures to support the economy in the current COVID-19 outbreak.

The Government will continue to assess the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and I will continue to work with Ministerial colleagues to ensure that appropriate supports are in place to mitigate these effects to the maximum extent feasible.

For those businesses who may need additional support during this period, I would draw attention to the comprehensive package of other business and employer supports that have been made available since the July Stimulus Plan and Budget 2021 - including the Covid Restriction Support Scheme (CRSS), the Credit Guarantee Scheme, the SBCI Working Capital Scheme, Sustaining Enterprise Fund, and the Covid-19 Business Loans Scheme.

The Government remains fully committed to supporting businesses and employers insofar as is possible at this time.

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