Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 May 2025
124. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has plans to increase the levels of hourly payment made under the wage subsidy scheme which helps enterprises employ those with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21538/25]
View answerUnder the Programme for Government, the Government has committed to review the minimum hours requirement under the Wage Subsidy Scheme and to examine an increase to the payment rate.
The Wage Subsidy Scheme supports employers to hire people with disabilities through a subsidy. As part of Budget 2022, my Department increased the base subsidy rate from €5.30 to €6.30 per hour. This gives a total annual subsidy available of €12,776 based on a 39-hour week. The maximum subsidy rate was increased from €7.95 to €9.45 per hour, giving a total subsidy of €19,164.60 per employee per year.
In August 2024, my Department published a review of the scheme to make it more accessible and flexible. Some of the key recommendations of this review include that the minimum hours for the scheme be reduced from 21 to 15 hours and that the scheme be expanded to those on Partial Capacity Benefit. The scheme will also be expanded to the community and voluntary sector.
An additional €3.7 million was allocated to implement the review’s recommendations.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
