Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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101. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider a clawback mechanism for employers availing of the temporary wage subsidy scheme, which subsequently laid off substantial numbers of their staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11281/20]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The temporary wage subsidy scheme, TWSS, is an emergency measure to deal with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and is being extended until the end of August. 

The TWSS provides a sum to employers to cover a portion of their wage bill in circumstances where the employer’s business has been negatively impacted by the restrictions that have had to be introduced to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

The sum the employer receives is based on the employees who were on their payroll on 29 February 2020, the net salary such employees received in January and February 2020, as well as the extent to which the employer remains able to continue to discharge their legal obligation to pay their employees’ salaries. In this way it is intended to maintain the net pay of as many employees as possible at this time and to preserve the link between the employee and employer insofar as is possible, as well as firm viability, through this period.  Maintenance of the employment relationship for a specific period of time is not one of the criteria for eligibility for the TWSS.  I have no plans to change that position.