Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 June 2023
209. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his views, based on the experience of the EWSS, on the need to embed a modernised short-time work scheme modelled on the successful German Kurzarbeit scheme, especially in light of the threat of 650 layoffs at the Tara Mines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30398/23]
View answerWhile the Deputy refers to the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), it is important to recall that the EWSS was a unique scheme which was developed and operated in exceptional circumstances during the Covid-19 pandemic. Arising from this, the governance arrangements that applied to EWSS were also exceptional. In the ordinary course of events, the position is that policy responsibility for short-time work support, which is a form of Jobseeker’s Benefit, resides in the first instance with my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.
The Deputy may be aware that the Pathways to Work 2021-2025 strategy, sponsored by Minister Humphreys and her Department, includes the following commitment: "building on the EWSS/TWSS and drawing on existing international models, explore the possibility of introducing a new Short Time Work Support scheme to enable employers retain people on their payroll in response to short-duration shocks to employment" .
Further details on the Pathways to Work strategy, including the ‘First Annual Progress Report, July 2021 to June 2022’, can be located as follows: www.gov.ie/en/publication/1feaf-pathways-to-work-2021/
