Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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747. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the wage subsidy scheme; the name of their employer and place of work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25563/16]

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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748. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the wage subsidy scheme and disability benefit; the name of their employer and place of work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25564/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 747 and 748 together.

At the end of August 2016 there are approximately 2,200 people, employed by 1,362 employers, participating in the wage subsidy scheme (WSS). The table gives a breakdown of the numbers of employers availing of WSS by numbers of people with disabilities employed.

Number of employers by number of People with a Disability employed (August 2016)

In relation to the request for the name and place of work of employers, given that four-fifths of employers are availing of the scheme in respect of one person with a disability, my Department will consider carefully if any confidentially or data protection issues arise and will contact the Deputy to discuss his request.

It is a condition of receipt of illness benefit (formerly Disability Benefit) that a person is incapable of work on the day for which benefit is claimed. The WSS is paid only in respect of days worked so the circumstance outlined by the Deputy should not arise.

I hope that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.