Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 214: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement regarding the take up of the employment subsidy scheme announced by her Department; if she will comment on the ratio provision contained in the scheme which many employers see as an impediment to availing of this subsidy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38583/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of the Employment Subsidy Scheme is to support the maintenance of vulnerable jobs, help the economy retain its productive capacity and employers retain the labour, knowledge and skills of the workforce thereby supporting a faster return to sustainable growth.

The Scheme provides a subsidy of €9,100 per employee over fifteen months to qualifying enterprises. During this period the firm would continue to pay the employee their normal wages.

The Scheme was announced on the 6th August 2009 and Enterprise Ireland who are managing the scheme, received 561 eligible applications seeking employment subsidies for 9,130 jobs. Enterprise Ireland are currently assessing these applications.

Applications will be assessed on a competitive basis and the ratio provision contained in the Scheme provides a way of ensuring that the number of jobs retained by employers is maximised, thereby increasing the value for money return to the Exchequer for the funds provided.