Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020

Tuesday, 14 July 2020

Ceisteanna (275, 280, 281, 289, 294, 307)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

275. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Finance if seasonal tourism businesses will be able to avail of the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15202/20]

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

280. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance if the temporary wage subsidy scheme will be expanded to include seasonal restaurants and other businesses open during summer months when tourism is at its peak; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15918/20]

Pa Daly

Ceist:

281. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding seasonal employers who have requested inclusion in the temporary wage subsidy scheme but who have been denied due to the fact their businesses were not operational by the cut-off date of 29 February 2020. [15998/20]

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

289. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if he will extend the Covid-19 payments beyond August 2020. [15065/20]

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

294. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will expand the temporary wage subsidy scheme to include seasonal workers who had not returned to work by the deadline in March 2020 and who face little prospect of employment for the remainder of 2020 unless covered by the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15155/20]

Pa Daly

Ceist:

307. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Finance the reason the temporary wage subsidy scheme cannot be amended to allow those seasonal businesses that were not yet fully operational on 29 February 2020, but which would have been fully operational since March or April 2020, to avail of the scheme in order that they can return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15408/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

I propose to take Questions Nos. 275, 280, 281, 289, 294 and 307 together.

The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) was introduced in March and was specifically designed to support firm viability and preserve the relationship between the employer and employee insofar as is possible through the lockdown period, in circumstances where the employer’s business had been negatively impacted by COVID-19.

The scheme was developed in a short period of time, having regard to the overarching urgent Government objective of getting assistance to employers and employees quickly.

Since it was introduced, over 50,000 firms have availed of the scheme (which is almost a third of all employers from 2019). Over 500,000 jobs have been directly supported over the period and many more indirectly. This is considerable coverage and it is noted that the value of payments made to date is over €2 billion.

As the public health restrictions are eased, the challenge for the economy and enterprises is evolving. Having regard to the novel circumstances surrounding the re-opening of the economy as well as the need to avoid the risk of forcing otherwise viable firms to close, in July it was announced that the TWSS will remain until the end of August. Work is currently ongoing around how best to support employers into the more medium term. The position of various sectors, including the businesses and workers mentioned by the Deputies, will be taken into account in this process. As stated in the Programme for Government, it is planned that the July Jobs Initiative will set out a pathway for the future of the TWSS.