Cutting EWSS “scandalous” decision, say vintners

The cut in the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) on Wednesday is heaping ‘huge pressure on publicans and the wider hospitality sector’ as it faces a bleak Christmas season where the message from Government is to ‘stay away’ from pubs and venues across the country. This is according to the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI), who say that the EWSS is a vital support for members that must revert to the initial subsidy given the ongoing collapse in trade.

The VFI says the Government decision to begin tapering the EWSS was based on a full reopening of hospitality from 22nd October. As that reopening is now cancelled for the foreseeable future, the EWSS tapering must be fully reversed.

FULLY RESTORED

VFI Chief Executive Padraig Cribben, described the situation as ‘scandalous’.

“The EWSS is an absolutely vital support designed to keep staff employed during a significant downturn in the employer’s turnover in the middle of Covid. This is a scandalous decision to cut the last remaining subsidy available to publicans, particularly at a time when business is collapsing due to Government messaging that people should avoid hospitality venues. If the current scenario doesn’t qualify I don’t know what would.

“At the very least the EWSS should revert to the original subsidy, but with the crisis showing no signs of abating we are also calling for a return of a graduated version of the CRSS. Government needs to act now instead of pretending that hospitality is somehow ‘sorted,’” concluded Mr Cribben.