Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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218. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the wage subsidy scheme when summer camps open for the summer period (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25242/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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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 €3 billion and PRSI credit of over €500 million have been granted to 48,900 employers in respect of 558,000 workers.

I have been clear that there will be no cliff-edge to the EWSS and, as the Deputy will be aware, it was decided that the scheme is being extended until the end of June 2021. Similarly, the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme is also been extended to end June 2021.

Motions seeking Dáil approval of the extension of the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to 30 June 2021 took place on Thursday 22 April, during which I reaffirmed the Government’s commitment that there would be no cliff-edge to the economic supports at the end of June.

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.

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 dependent on social welfare payments over time, including the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).

Consideration is being given to the fact that continued support for businesses could be necessary out to the end of 2021 to help maintain viable enterprises and employment and to provide firms 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 within the resources available 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 Covid Restriction Support Scheme (CRSS), 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.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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219. To ask the Minister for Finance if businesses that are eligible for the Covid restrictions support scheme that were delayed in submitting their claim can receive the payment backdated to the closure of their business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25315/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The CRSS is a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under public health regulations to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The support is available to companies, self-employed individuals and partnerships who carry on a trade or trading activities, the profits from which are chargeable to tax under Case I of Schedule D, from a business premises located in a region subject to restrictions introduced in line with the Living with Covid-19 Plan.

Details of CRSS are set out in Finance Act 2020 and detailed operational guidelines, which are based on the terms and conditions of the scheme as set out in the legislation, have been published on the Revenue website at:

Where a business is eligible to make a claim under the CRSS, a claim may be made through the Revenue Online System (ROS). A claim may be made up to eight weeks from the date on which a claim period commences, which in most cases will be the first day on which the Covid restrictions apply to the business concerned. Where Covid restrictions continue to apply to the business beyond a period of three weeks, the eight-week time limit applies from the first day of each three-week period for which the Covid restrictions continue to apply to the business.

In order to make a claim, a business must first register for CRSS via the eRegistration system on ROS. A person must have an up to date tax clearance certificate in order to successfully register. As part of the registration process, the person will be required to provide certain information in relation to the business premises and turnover. In some cases, the registration may not be completed within the eight-week time period for making a claim for payment under CRSS. This might arise where the registration application is made towards the end of the eight-week time limit or where Revenue requests additional information in connection with the application. In these circumstances, to ensure that a business is not adversely affected, and provided the business applies to be registered within the eight-week time period and provides the required information as part of the registration process, the business will be able to make a claim within three weeks of being registered for CRSS where this is later than the expiry of the eight-week time limit.

Also, in order to be eligible for the scheme, the person carrying on the business must hold a valid tax clearance certificate. Revenue do not have the flexibility to extend the CRSS beyond the terms of the legislation.