Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 September 2020
109. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the employment wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22987/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is an economy-wide enterprise support that gives a flat rate subsidy to qualifying employers. It is not an income support for the individual so it is ultimately up to the employer to claim the subsidy, if they qualify.
The EWSS was legislated for in the recently enacted Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Act 2020. The eligibility criteria for EWSS state that an employer must be able to demonstrate that their business will experience a 30% reduction in turnover or orders between 1 July and 31 December 2020, by reference to the corresponding period in 2019, as a result of business disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
A qualifying employer is allow to claim a flat-rate subsidy for any qualifying employees on the payroll. For every qualifying employee paid between €203 and €1,462 gross per week, the level of subsidy is €203. For every qualifying employee paid between €151.50 and €202.99 gross per week, the subsidy is €151.50. No subsidy is paid for employees paid less than €151.50 or more than €1,462 gross per week. An employer is not obliged to claim the subsidy for all their qualifying employees.
From the details provided, it is assumed that the individual is an employee who also has caring responsibilities in their own home.
As explained above, it is up to the employer to determine if they qualify for the EWSS and to make a claim, but I would like to assure the Deputy that there is no distinction made between full time and part time workers in the EWSS, and no minimum requirement of hours worked - provided the appropriate level of gross pay is paid by the eligible employer to the qualifying employee on the payroll, a subsidy may be claimed.
