The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme would cost an extra €3.7 billion if extended beyond March to the end of this year, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has confirmed.
Responding to a Parliamentary Question from Labour Finance Spokesperson Ged Nash, the Minister pledged that there would be no "cliff-edge" to the scheme, which he described as a key component of the government's response to supporting viable firms, and encouraging employment in challenging times.
He noted that the legislation governing the EWSS allows him to extend the scheme until the end of June 2021, subject to certain conditions, but indicated support would probably be needed for longer. "It is likely that continued support will be necessary out to the end of 2021 to help