merrion street

The Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, has today (Thursday) confirmed that a change to the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) will be made to accommodate the salaries of those who have returned to work after a period of maternity or adoptive leave and who may not have been on the payroll of their employer on the 29th February, or been paid in either January or February 2020; requirements for qualification for the scheme.

The amendment will be legislated for later in the year as part of the usual Finance Bill 2020 process. In the interim, Revenue has agreed that this provision will be implemented from 26th March, where applicable.

The change being made will allow for consistent treatment with other employees who were on the payroll on 29th February, noting that it is only because of the personal circumstances relating to maternity and adoptive leave that resulted in these employees not being on the payroll in the first instance.

Minister Donohoe said:

I am satisfied that this change addresses the anomaly and ensures appropriate operation of the TWSS in recognition of the unique circumstances applying to those returning to work after a period of maternity or adoptive leave.

Revenue has advised that this change will require manual operation. The system updates are on-going and should be operational from 12 June 2020. Input from employers is required and such employers are therefore encouraged to contact Revenue when the update is launched so that the process of including these employees’ salaries may begin as quickly as possible.