464,400 employees are now having their wages subsidised by the Government under the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme at a cost of €936 million so far, according to the latest figures published by the Revenue Commissioners.
53,900 employers have registered for the TWSS, which is intended to help maintain the employment link between companies and their employees, to facilitate a more rapid return to activity as the economy gradually reopens.
The 12-week scheme is due to expire in late June, but the Government has already indicated that both the TWSS and the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment are likely to be extended, though it is unclear for how long and in what form.