Regina Doherty, Minister for Employment & Social Protection answers queries on Subsidy Scheme
Only in Ireland would a small, independent, family-run restaurant receive a direct message from their Minister for Employment asking how they can help. Below are some answers to queries many of us have/had on the recent subsidy scheme introduced by our government. Tough times & everyone trying their best. Proud to be Irish seeing how we've responded as a country & our government.
Regina Doherty (RD), Minister for Employment & Social Protection
Twitter Direct Message Response to Las Tapas De Lola (LTDL) queries re new subsidy scheme
RD: Hi there, how can I help, Regina
[In the interests of not misquoting, we've kept to the script of our Q&A]
1. LTDL: New 70% subsidy, revenue site says above [LTDL sent below extract], we advised staff last week to apply straight away for Pandemic Payment (either in part or in full)… does this mean we can’t do the subsidy instead for them if better option? If we can, what needs to be done?
RD: We would be delighted if you could take back your employees and use the wage subsidy scheme. Just tell your employees to send us, by Freepost, a note to tell us they are going back to “work” and we will take them off the register.
LTDL: They’d receive payment for the time in between? Would we have to date it for Monday 30th for example?
RD: If they have received a payment for this/last week then you should only start from the date you take them back.
2. LTDL: For those that are on reduced hours (and applied for the Pandemic Payment), they were to receive €41 per day for days reduced.. if they stay on pandemic (and not subsidy), they receive €70 per day based on new rate?
RD: There is an anomaly that some people who were already laid off may be financially better off on the pandemic payment. This was unavoidable as we could only have a single value payment to be quick, responsive and impactful.
LTDL: If on split employer & pandemic it would be €70 per day pandemic?
RD: On wage subsidy it can’t be more than 70% of total week’s wages so divide that by days worked.
LTDL: So you look at the employee as entirety? For argument sake, employer decides down to 3 days at €390 (NET) and claims the pandemic (already sent in) for 2 days (at €70 per day) €140 means would come out with €530 per week? What happens there?
RD: Yes
LTDL: Not sure on the “yes” answer.. so we can essentially pay the split part as an employer and raise it to meet the 70% of their salary (inclusive of the part payment by welfare)? So employer claims the €390 back as long as the €530 is within the 70% guideline for that employee. On that note, it is €70 a day now for split payment?
LTDL: Apologies just realised to a max of €410 is subsidised so the question of €70 per day from pandemic is important to know as would assume difference between split payment and employer payment that makes up to €410 is what’s claimed and anything over that is a top up?
RD: Can I double check on No. 2 in the morning please so I’m 100%? [To follow…]
3. LTDL: Based on potential response to the above, can an employer top up employees if on a mix of X days a week wage & Y days a week Pandemic (if find themselves in a position to do so) without impacting employees Pandemic Payment?
RD: Employer can top up the balance of the 30% not covered by wage subsidy if they can afford it.
4. LTDL: Is it the case that the subsidy will be refunded within 2 days to employer’s account (cashflow major issue for so many)?
RD: Subsidy refunded to employer in real-time
5. LTDL: The conditions for employer to qualify for subsidy, is it one or all of them?
RD: Condition is that your revenue has dropped by 25%
6. LTDL: Dependent on above, should staff who remain on Pandemic still apply for job seeker’s benefit?
RD: Yes please
LTDL: If apply for Job Seeker Benefit that is less than the €350?
RD: Depends on their circumstances. Dependents, children, etc. For example, a person with wife/hubby and two kids would qualify for €407 per week.
7. LTDL: Can you answer queries on rent/utilities? Again thinking of staff. So if stuck for funds they can hold off paying until better position? [LTDL sent below extract]
RD: Tell landlord that you may have difficulty & ask for payment holiday. If they refuse then apply for rent supplement payment.
8. LTDL: There was talk of a rent freeze (but none, 3 months no increase / eviction) but mention of a rent supplement, how do staff apply for same? Or do they? [LTDL sent below extract]
RD: As 7 I think
9. LTDL: Are we putting a plan in place for the other end for staff? Deals with landlords / utilities e.g. pro rata payments of what’s owed, etc so staff not stuck then?
RD: Sorry not sure what you mean?
LDTL: Grand to say 3 month moratorium for evictions, but after those 3 months and staff get hit with a 3 month rent bill what then? We did a letter template for staff for their landlords to request a pro rata payment over a period of time. No landlord has to agree to that if you get my drift?
RD: [....] the department will always be there to help. Ideally if you don’t get rent holiday, I’d apply for rent supplement now.
Questions sent following morning (26/3).. awaiting response
10. LTDL: What is the duration of the subsidy? 6 weeks? 12 weeks? If in system already better to stay for Job Seekers Benefit application later?
11. LTDL: The rent supplement – can employees on subsidy apply for rent supplement if not on “register”. Also how much is rent supplement?
Handy link to info on government website re the subsidy scheme, click here
Information vis-a-vie rent supplement, click here