Written answers

Wednesday, 20 May 2020

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Wage Subsidy Scheme

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1177. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if those childcare workers who are in receipt of one-parent family payment or working family payment, and who have also been receiving the wage subsidy scheme, will not be required to return the amount received during the Covid-19 closures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6033/20]

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1229. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if those childcare workers who are in receipt of one-parent family payment or working family payment, and who have also been receiving the wage subsidy scheme, will not be required to return amounts received during the Covid-19 closures. [6041/20]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1177 and 1229 together.

The Revenue Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) is one of a number of measures to provide financial support to workers affected by the Covid-19 crisis. The scheme is operated by the Revenue Commissioners and enables eligible employees, whose employers’ business activities have experienced significant negative disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to receive supports directly from their employer. It also ensures that employers retain employees during the pandemic in order to facilitate the business’ operations in getting back to normal once the crisis eases. The subsidy scheme is implemented by employers through their payroll system, with employees receiving the subsidy payment along with any other payments made by the employer. It is a condition of this scheme that individuals cannot receive my Department’s Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment at the same time as receiving payments under the Revenue TWSS or DCYA TWSCS.

The One Parent Family Parent, a means tested payment and Working Family Payment  an income assessed payment take account of any earnings received by claimants.  This includes any amounts received by way of Revenue TWSS payments. 

Childcare workers who are in receipt of the one parent family payment or the working family payment will continue to receive these payments during their temporary lay-off as a result of the Covid-19 related closures provided they continue to meet the eligibility conditions for these schemes. 

It is open to any customer who considers that their circumstances have changed to request a review of their claim. If this results in an increased rate of payment, this increase will be backdated accordingly.  A reduction in a rate of payment is normally only applied from a current date, unless there is evidence that a customer knowingly misled the Department or failed to report a change in their circumstances.

 I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1178. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of workers who have been placed on the wage subsidy scheme but also informed or have had to apply for supplementary welfare payments due to the fact their earnings on the scheme are too low. [6155/20]

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1243. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who have applied for SWA since March 2020; and the number of those that are on the wage subsidy scheme. [6157/20]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1178 and 1243 together.

The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants.

Basic weekly SWA may be paid to customers awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment.  In certain circumstances if a person is not eligible for other social welfare payments and their weekly income is below the SWA rate for their family size, a payment may be made to bring their income up to the appropriate SWA rate. 

There are currently 15,100 customers in receipt of basic supplementary welfare allowance, this represents a decrease of 940 (6%) since the end of February 2020.  Of these 15,100 cases, 3,400 have been registered since 1st March 2020. 

The Temporary Work Subsidy Scheme is administered by Revenue.  I am advised that data is not available on the number of persons on that scheme who have applied for SWA.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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