EWSS deals ‘massive blow’, restaurants say

The Restaurant Association of Ireland has described the cuts to EWSS subsidies as a massive blow to the Irish hospitality sector at a critical time for businesses in the run-up to Christmas.

In a statement, RAI said that the combination of messages from the government regarding reducing social contacts and now cutting the EWSS will cause untold economic damage to a sector currently in cash-strapped.

Under the enhanced terms, the employer benefited from the EWSS for an employee with a weekly wage of €350, the support increased from €203 per week to €300 per week.

Similarly, for an employee with a weekly wage of €475, the benefit was increased from €203 per week to €350 per week.

The Ministry of Finance has stated that from December 1, 2021 to February 28, 2022, the original two-capacity subsidy of 151.50 euros and 203 euros will apply.

For March and April 2022, one flat rate of €100 will apply and the reduced rate PRSI will be returned to employers for these two months.

Support for businesses taking advantage of the EWSS on December 31, 2021 will continue until April 30, 2022. The scheme will close to new employers from January 1, 2022.

Despite the reduction, government sources said the matter would remain under review.

In terms of money, the total support provided to date (November 25) by the EWSS is approximately 6.5 billion euros, and includes direct support payments of 5.58 billion euros, and PRSI has ceded 877 million euros to 51,700 employers in relation to more than 690,300 employees. .

A spokesman for Pascal Donohue said the government’s policy has been to not have a slope edge for support, and at the same time it is necessary to gradually relax and phase out this temporary measure of emergency support.