Gerald Nash
Ceist:229. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the status of his plans to reform the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31485/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 20 October 2020
Ceisteanna (229)
Freagraí scríofa
As I announced on Budget day, there will be no cliff-edge to the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) which will be in place until 31 March 2021. It is noted that the legislation implementing the EWSS also provides that the scheme may be extended until the end of June 2021, should it be required.
It is acknowledged that a similar type scheme will be needed out to the end of 2021 to provide businesses with greater levels of certainty, to the greatest extent possible. The Government will decide on the form of such a measure, which is expected to be adjusted to suit the economic conditions of 2021, as they become clearer.
More immediately, the Deputy will be aware that, yesterday, the Government decided upon and announced a move to Level 5 restrictions. A revision of the rates of subsidy that may be claimed under the EWSS has been announced as part of that. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, the Government continues to operate in a highly responsive manner and to adjust policy in relation to the scheme where such changes are deemed necessary. In this regard also, the Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Act 2020 obliges me to monitor and superintend the administration of the wage subsidy scheme and this is a duty that I intend to carry out fully over the life of the scheme.
In the meantime, it is noted that EWSS payments have been made to almost 33,000 employers in respect of 341,200 workers in September worth €254 million which is considered strong coverage for employers who need it.