Business minister Heather Humphreys has strongly encouraged employers to avail of the Government’s Wage Subsidy Scheme to retain employees and to re-employ employees in cases where they have recently been laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minster said: “This pandemic is presenting our people and businesses with unprecedented challenges and they require practical, flexible and innovative solutions.

“That’s why we have introduced this new Wage Subsidy Scheme, which supports employers to retain as many workers as possible by giving support to wage costs. 

Laid off

“It’s important to bear in mind that if you have recently laid off workers, you can still avail of the scheme by re-employing them, which will allow you to plan ahead with more surety.”

The scheme will be available to employers who keep employees on the payroll through the current COVID-related trading difficulties, meaning employers can retain links with employees for when business picks up after the crisis.

Under the terms of the scheme, employers will be refunded up to 70 percent of an employee's wages – up to a level of €410.

Vital

Minister Humphreys added: “The employer-employee relationship is vital for business success and the purpose of the scheme is to maintain this relationship.

“It will also ensure that when we get through the worst of the pandemic, businesses will be best placed to return to normality and kickstart the economy once again.”

The scheme is confined to employees who were on the employer’s payroll as at 29 February 2020 and full details can be viewed at Revenue Wage Subsidy Scheme.