There is mixed reaction from Clare businesses to yesterday’s announcement on the National Economic Plan.
The extension of existing supports has received a broad welcome, however, one hotelier believes a review should be carried out into the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme at the end of the summer.
The plan, which aims to get 2.5 million people back to work by 2024, ill see a number of changes to current supports for businesses and workers.
The PUP will close to new entrants from July, while students will no longer be eligable from September.
The payment will then be phased out by 2022, dropping by 50 euro increments over three phases.
While the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme and the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme are extended until the end of the year.
But Lahinch Hotelier Michael Vaughan is calling for a review before the end of the summer, saying some sectors are bound to need additional support beyond Christmas
The CEO of Ennis Chamber says there’s a sense of relief from businesses in receipt of the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme locally and the enhanced re-start payment.
But Margaret O’Brien acknowledges that further lobbying may be needed down the line to extend supports due to run out by the end of the year.
She says as it stands the vast majority of businesses in the town have managed to keep their doors open, but a wait and see approach will have to be taken when looking towards the future.
