Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 April 2021
27. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if clarification will be provided on a matter regarding the Covid restrictions support scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20929/21]
View answerThe 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 “turnover test” has been specifically designed so as 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 in Q1 and Q2 2021 compared with the same period in 2019.
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 €2.7 billion and PRSI credit of over €450 million have been granted to 48,500 employers in respect of almost 550,000 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.
Consideration is also 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.
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.
The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme, the CRSS, is a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under the public health regulations to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Small Business Assistance Scheme for Covid (SBASC) gives grants to businesses who are not eligible for the CRSS. This scheme is under the remit of An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Varadkar. Specific queries in relation to that scheme should be direct to that Department.
For those businesses that 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 - the Credit Guarantee Scheme, the SBCI Working Capital Scheme, Sustaining Enterprise Fund, and the Covid-19 Business Loans Scheme. Comprehensive information on the supports available can be located at - https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
