Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This provision deals with the phased withdrawal of the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, with enhanced rates of the wage subsidy to be in operation until 30 November and graduating down after that. I have several questions on this and I know time is running on. The scheme will close to new employers on 1 January. Given where we are at present with case numbers, will the Minister give a commitment that this can be reviewed and changed in advance if it looks like we will face more restrictions in January? Will the Minister explain to the committee what provisions he has to be able to do this without legislative change? Is the Minister considering in conjunction with this a review of the reductions in the pandemic unemployment payment rate in light of the trajectory of cases?