The Government is likely to extend the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) beyond the end of June as it seeks to phase out Pandemic Unemployment Payments (PUP) to encourage people back to work. An analysis carried out by the Department of Finance last month on the EWSS found that it is an important tool for transitioning workers from social welfare payments to full employment, as well as helping businesses remain viable during the pandemic. The scheme remains a significant support for businesses with about one-quarter of employers utilising the funding to maintain staff in their jobs. About 15pc of the workforce was backed by EWSS payments in January – proportionally higher than in November and December, the analysis found.