Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Lowry for raising this issue. The Government has announced the reinstatement of the enhanced rates of the EWSS, which is a very important support for the hospitality sector and all other sectors. There are qualifying criteria because this is taxpayers' money. In essence it relates to a 30% reduction in turnover relative to a reference period back in 2019. The EWSS remains open for new entrants until the end of the year. It is open to any participant to add new employees at any point until then. The plan is that it will be tapered off with a view to ending in April next year. The Minister for Finance will come before the House later today to debate the Finance Bill and additional amendments that have come from the Seanad. This will provide another opportunity to discuss the finer points of how it will work.

See this speech in context