Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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524. To ask the Minister for Finance if businesses impacted by the travel restrictions such as language schools, travel agents and so on the trading of which is unlikely to return to normal when domestic restrictions are lifted will have supports such as the temporary wage subsidy scheme, the Covid restrictions support scheme and so on extended beyond the current deadlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20220/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of concerns that have been raised regarding the pace of recovery for certain sectors, and that it has been suggested that the level of support be increased and/or that the application of some of the new State supports should be delineated on the basis of explicit sectoral qualification criteria. However, the reality of COVID-19 is that our whole economy and labour market have been rapidly transformed by this unprecedented shock and nearly all sectors have been negatively impacted either directly or indirectly.

The objective of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is to support all employment and maintain the link between the employer and employee insofar as is possible. The EWSS has been a key component of the Government’s response to the continued Covid-19 crisis to support viable firms and encourage employment in the midst of these very challenging times. To date, payments of over €2.7 billion and PRSI credit of over €450 million have been granted to 48,500 employers in respect of almost 550,000 workers.

The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme, the CRSS, a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under the public health regulations to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. To date, 142,100 claims for CRSS payments totalling €464.3 million in respect of 24,500 premises have been made.

I have been clear that there will be no cliff-edge to the EWSS and, as the Deputies will be aware from announcements made on Tuesday 23 February, it has been decided that the scheme is now to be extended until the end of June 2021. With the agreement by Government on the revised plan, COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead, a cautious and measured approach will be taken as we lay the foundations for the full recovery of social life, public services and the economy. It is therefore appropriate that key business supports should remain in place until the end of June 2021.

Motions seeking Dáil approval of the extension of the EWSS and the CRSS to 30 June 2021 are scheduled for debate in the Dáil on Thursday 22 April.

As the revised plan is implemented, the EWSS will play an important role in getting people back to work as public health restrictions are eased, thereby reducing the numbers dependant on social welfare payments over time, including the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).

Consideration is being given to the fact that continued support could be necessary out to the end of 2021 to help maintain viable businesses and employment and to provide businesses with certainty to the maximum extent possible. Decisions on the form of such support will take account of emerging circumstances and economic conditions as they become clearer.

The Government will continue to assess the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and I will continue to work with Ministerial colleagues to ensure that appropriate supports are in place to mitigate these effects.

For those businesses who may need additional support during this period, I would draw attention to the comprehensive package of other business and employer supports that have been made available since the July Stimulus Plan and Budget 2021 - including the Credit Guarantee Scheme, the SBCI Working Capital Scheme, Sustaining Enterprise Fund, and the Covid-19 Business Loans Scheme.

The Government remains fully committed to supporting businesses and employers insofar as is possible at this time.