Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe TD, restated his commitment to no cliff-edge ending of the EWSS and other pandemic supports as the Dáil approved draft Regulations providing for the extension of the EWSS and CRSS to the end of June.

In his opening statement, the Minister noted that “Supports will continue for as long as is necessary to ensure a strong recovery.” While the cost of the pandemic support schemes are significant, the Minister considers that schemes must continue to ensure success in “the final hurdle” of the fight against the pandemic and the resulting economic fallout.

The TWSS cost almost €3 billion; the EWSS has cost €2.8 billion with almost half a billion in PRSI foregone; the CRSS is approaching €0.5 billion, and €2.3 billion of tax debt has been warehoused. This gives a total of €9 billion in supports for businesses under the aegis of the Department of Finance.

In addition, €6.5 billion has been paid by the Department of Social Protection under the PUP.

The motions put before the Dáil are required as part of the process of extending the schemes under section 484(2)(a)(ii) TCA 1997 for the CRSS, and section 28B(21) of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020.