The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe TD, confirmed there would be no cliff-edge ending to the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). The confirmation came as he sought Dáil approval for an Order extending the enhanced subsidy rates under the scheme until the end of March. Section 28B of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020, provides that the scheme may be extended until the end of June 2021.
The Order put forward by the Minister for Finance, providing for the extension of the enhanced subsidy rates until 31 March 2021 was approved by the Dáil. In his speech, the Minister noted that:
“It is likely that continued support will be necessary out to the end of 2021 to help maintain viable businesses and employment and to provide businesses with certainty to the maximum extent possible”.
Any future decisions on the scheme will consider the circumstances and economic conditions at the time.
The guidelines on the operation of the EWSS were updated following the approval of the Order. These updates are highlighted in yellow.
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