Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2022
242. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which his Department has provided support to employers throughout the country in the course of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7328/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position is that this Government has introduced a broad range of COVID-19 supports for businesses such as the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and its predecessor, the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) which represents a substantial and key part of this Government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
The objective of both the EWSS and the TWSS before it is to support employment and maintain the link between the employer and employee insofar as is possible. The EWSS is an economy-wide scheme that operates across all sectors.
In money terms, the overall support provided to date by EWSS and TWSS combined is in excess of €10 billion. In the case of EWSS just over €7.3 billion to date has been provided comprising of direct subsidy payments of c. €6.3 billion and PRSI of c. €1 billion to 51,900 employers in respect of over 711,600 employees.
The COVID Restriction Support Scheme (CRSS) was a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under public health regulations to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The support was available to companies, self-employed individuals and partnerships who carry on a trade or trading activities, the profits from which are chargeable to tax under Case I of Schedule D, from a business premises located in a region subject to COVID restrictions as set out in the relevant legislation. A total of 25,600 unique premises have claimed payments under the scheme amounting to €724 million.
In addition, the Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS) was a further support for businesses impacted by COVID-19. Registration for BRSS opened on 6 September 2021 and it closed for applicants on 30 November 2021. I am advised by Revenue that 2,120 businesses with 2,250 trades have availed of the scheme with an associated cost of €7.7 million.
The Tax Debt Warehousing Scheme remains available to support businesses that are experiencing tax payment difficulties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme applies to VAT debts, PAYE (Employer) debts, certain self-assessed income tax debts and overpayments of both the TWSS and the EWSS. To qualify for debt warehousing, a business must continue to file all tax returns, even though the liability cannot be paid. The Government have agreed to extend the tax debt warehousing scheme to allow the period where liabilities arising can be “warehoused” to be extended to 30 April 2022 for all taxpayers eligible for Covid-19 support schemes. To date, around €3.2billion in tax debts have been warehoused in respect of almost 105,000 businesses.
I would also point out that details of additional COVID-19 business supports are available via the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s website at the following link -
enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Business-Supports-2022.html
In addition, I would draw the Deputy’s attention to Fáilte Ireland’s Tourism Business Continuity Scheme 2022, which was launched last month. Further details can be obtained via the following link –
www.failteireland.ie/tourism-business-continuity-programme.aspx
