Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 November 2025
175. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide data by metrics (details supplied) on the wage subsidy scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64132/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Wage Subsidy Scheme is a key disability employment support provided by my Department. It aims to encourage employers to offer substantial and sustainable employment to disabled people through a subsidy.
The subsidy rate is based on how many employees the employer hires through the Wage Subsidy Scheme. There are currently three strands:
Strand 1: The base subsidy rate is €6.30 per hour.
Strand 2: An employer can receive an increase in the subsidy rate if they hire more employees on the Wage Subsidy Scheme, as shown in the table below:
• 1 to 2 employees: €6.30
• 3 to 6 employees: €6.93
• 7 to 11 employees: €7.56
• 12 to 16 employees: €8.19
• 17 to 22 employees: €8.82
• 23+ employees: €9.45
Strand 3: An employer who employs 25 or more employees on the Wage Subsidy Scheme may receive a grant of €30,000 towards the cost of employing an Employment Assistance Officer. There is a limit of five Employment Assistance Officer positions which can be subsidised by the scheme for any one company.
The table below shows the number of employers and employees in each of the current strands of the Wage Subsidy Scheme as of end October 2025.
|
No. employees on scheme |
Employers |
Employees |
|
1-2 |
1,361 |
1,556 |
|
3-6 |
122 |
446 |
|
7-11 |
15 |
129 |
|
12-16 |
4 |
53 |
|
17-22 |
1 |
18 |
|
23+ |
6 |
336 |
|
Total |
1,509 |
2,538 |
In Budget 2026 I provided a reduction in the number of bands, from six to three and for an increase in the subsidy rates. As a result, from April 2026:
• the two lower rates of €6.30 and €6.93 are being combined into one rate and increased to €7.50 (for 1 to 6 employees on the scheme),
• the two middle rates of €7.56 and €8.19 are being combined and increased to €8.50 (for 7 to16 employees), and
• the two higher rates of €8.82 and €9.45 are being combined and increased to €10 (for 17 or more employees).
Budget 2026 has also provided for the expansion of the scheme to people who acquire a disability while in employment, those who have a progressive or degenerative condition that worsens and to those who transfer from Invalidity Pension to Partial Capacity Benefit.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
