Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
1006. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the response of her Department to Covid-19 in relation to the childcare sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8616/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI note that in her correspondence, the Deputy’s constituent refers to the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, stating her understanding that she is ineligible for this due to her age. It is also the understanding of my Department that this is the case, but, this is under the remit of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and I would refer the Deputy to that Department for further information.
However, I do wish to clarify that the Deputy’s constituent can apply for support for her service under my Department’s Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS).
The TWSCS supplements Revenue’s Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme in two ways. One of these ways is to provide greater subsidies for wages, which an owner/operator who is not paid a wage therefore cannot directly benefit from; their staff however may be able to receive the benefit of the subsidy. Additionally, the TWSCS also provides top-up funding to support non-deferrable overhead costs. This funding is calculated at 15% of wage costs, with a minimum amount of €300 per week awarded if 15% of wage costs is lower. An owner/operator who is neither eligible for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment or the Revenue’s Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme may still be able to access this overhead payment under the TWSCS. I hope that this measure will provide some support to the Deputy’s constituent during these extraordinary times.
