Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 September 2020
88. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the number of recipients of the wage subsidy scheme at the end of August 2020; the number who will be in receipt of the new employment subsidy scheme; the number who receive top-ups from their employers; the average amount of these top-ups; and the number on the new scheme who are receiving less from this support than the current jobseeker's allowance. [22961/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraRevenue has published detailed statistics related to the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) on a weekly basis throughout the duration of the scheme to provide as timely and transparent data on the utilisation and impact of the TWSS as possible. These statistics, which include information on the cost, numbers of employees and employers availing of the scheme, are published at https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/number-of-taxpayers-and-returns/covid-19-wage-subsidy-scheme-statistics.aspx.
As set in the most recent report dated 3 September, it is estimated 360,000 employees were being directly supported by the Scheme in the last week, having received a subsidy in their most recent pay period. Between March and August 2020, over 65,000 employers have received a subsidy under the TWSS with payments worth over €2.8 billion paid out to a total of 663,100 workers.
Revenue has confirmed that over the course of the operation of the TWSS, more than 80% of employees were in receipt of top-ups (wages in addition to the subsidy) from their employers in most weeks. Towards the end of scheme, this approached an average of almost 90% in most weeks. The average top up amount for weekly paid employees was approximately €100 while the average TWSS payment was approximately €300.
Revenue has advised me that it has started to include information on the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) in the statistical reports which are published at the above link. As of 7 September, over 30,000 employers had registered for the Scheme so far. The detail in the statistics, including the numbers of employees being supported by the EWSS, will be expanded in the coming weeks as the scheme progresses.
