Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The data that I had available to me indicated that around 1% of those who were participating on the TWSS had an income level below what has been indicated by the Deputy.

In terms of the points made, they are not just Sinn Féin proposals. These proposals are being made by every Deputy on this committee as we consider how we can evolve existing supports to support sectors of the economy that are very vulnerable and are being hit very hard at the moment. Of course, I am looking at the options in this regard in advance of budget day.

I have given thought to what will happen beyond 31 March but we are still some way from being able to answer the really critical questions of what will be the level of subsidy that will be needed for our economy in April and May of next year, and what would be the appropriate structure of the wage subsidy scheme at that point.

We are looking at options in that regard, but I do not believe we will have the information available to us to be able to make decisions on the future design of a wage subsidy scheme for some time yet.