2009
The Employment Subsidy Scheme Second Round is too little, spread too thin, according to the Irish Exporters Association.
Responding to the release of the Second round of the Employment Subsidy Scheme announced today (4th Dec) by the Tanaiste ‘s , the IEA stated that the release of a further €65 million , while welcome will be spread too thinly to have any real impact or help retain export markets and key staff.
John Whelan, CEO of the IEA, stated;
‘’Spreading the Employment Subsidy Fund to importers and general traders will inevitable dilute the impact of the fund to support the retention of exports , which is the key route to balancing the Exchequer and driving the economy out of recession.’’
He however went on to say;
‘’the food export sector alone has lost 550 jobs per month on average this year , the €65 million would only cover the average wage cost of retaining these jobs in the food sector for 4 months ‘’.
Finally, IEA Chief executive cautioned that utilising State funds for importers could fuel the loss of jobs in the export sector, as foreign producers would now have a double advantage of support from their own government to assist their exports and subsidy from the Irish government to sell on the Irish market.
ENDS
For Further Information contact;
John Whelan
Irish Exporters Association
087 9271243
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