Covid-19 Evaluation

Submission by Chambers Ireland

September 2025

Contents
About Chambers Ireland …………………………………………………………………………………………….…….3
Our Perspective …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….4
Successful Measures…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) …………………………………………………….…..4
Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) ……………………………………………………..4
Microfinance Ireland Loan Schemes ………………………………………………………………………….5
Economic Stimulus and Financial Supports …………………………………………………………..5
Key Areas for Improvement………………………………………………………………………………………..……6
Sector-Specific Challenges…………………………………………………………………………………………..…….6
Regional Disparities ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….6
Decline in Business Confidence……………………………………………………………………………………….6
Support Structure Limitations ………………………………………………………………………………….……….6
Recommendations…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6



About Chambers Ireland
Chambers Ireland is an all-island business organisation with a unique geographical reach. Our
members are the Chambers of Commerce in the cities and towns throughout the country – active
in every constituency. Each of our member Chambers is central to their local business community
and all seek to promote thriving local economies that can support sustainable cities and
communities.


Our Perspective
We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the national consultation on the Government’s
management of the COVID-19 pandemic. This submission outlines both the successes and
shortcomings of the measures implemented and offers practical recommendations to inform
future crisis response strategies.

Our organisation was actively engaged throughout the pandemic as a key stakeholder
representing the interests of local chambers and businesses nationwide. We contributed to direct
consultations with the Government, supported the dissemination of critical information and
assisted in the delivery of mitigating supports and outreach initiatives. We have highlighted what worked well, identified areas where gaps were evident – particularly for SMEs – and offer policy recommendations to enhance the effectiveness, inclusivity and responsiveness of future emergency supports.

Successful Measures

Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS)
The TWSS, introduced under the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (COVID-19) Act
2020, was a highly effective tool1 n supporting employment during the pandemic. By subsidising
70% of employees’ take-home pay (up to €410 per week), the scheme enabled businesses to
retain staff during a period of unprecedented disruption. This intervention was vital in stabilising
the labour market and preserving business continuity. It provided much-needed financial
certainty to both employers and employees, reduced the need for mass layoffs and helped
maintain the employer-employee relationship, thereby allowing for a quicker recovery once
restrictions eased and economic activity resumed.

Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS)
The EWSS, introduced as part of the July Jobs Stimulus and operational from September 2020,
succeeded the TWSS as Ireland’s primary wage support mechanism during the later stages of
the pandemic. It provided flat-rate subsidies to employers based on employee gross wages,
helping businesses maintain payrolls amidst ongoing economic uncertainty. The scheme offered
vital support to sectors still struggling with reduced activity, while encouraging continued
employment and business viability. By shifting the subsidy from employees to employers, the
EWSS aimed to streamline support and incentivise sustainable job retention. Its targeted design
played a key role in Ireland’s gradual economic recovery, supporting labour market resilience
through a critical transition period.

Microfinance Ireland Loan Schemes
Covid-19 Business Loans: The availability of loans up to €25,000 with zero interest and
repayments for the first six months offered crucial liquidity to small businesses during a period
of uncertainty.

Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme: This long-term financing option supported SMEs in
building resilience and adopting sustainable practices. The scheme was particularly beneficial to
small manufacturing and retail enterprises seeking to invest in energy efficiency, reduce their
environmental footprint or pivot toward more sustainable business models. By providing
accessible finance with flexible terms, the scheme enabled businesses to engage in long-term
strategic planning.

Expansion of Microfinance Ireland’s Loan Fund: Legislative approval to expand Microfinance
Ireland’s capacity ensured that SMEs could access low-cost, flexible funding to sustain their
operations.

Economic Stimulus and Financial Supports
Grant payments, wage supports and liquidity measures helped businesses manage short-term
cash flow difficulties. Extensions of timelines for existing supports were particularly welcomed,
allowing for greater planning and adaptability.

Key Areas for Improvement

Sector-Specific Challenges
Businesses in sectors such as hospitality, digital, agrifood, transport, and retail experienced
disproportionate impacts on their operations due to closures and staffing shortages. More
targeted support programmes were needed to address these industry-specific pressures and to
ensure sectoral recovery.

Regional Disparities
There is a clear need to invest in regional development initiatives and allocate support based on
localised economic data. While all regions faced similar challenges, heightened concerns around
labour shortages, particularly in the agrifood sector, were observed across the country.

Decline in Business Confidence

Business sentiment deteriorated with the introduction of tighter restrictions. Clear, timely
communication and consistent engagement with the business community are essential to
maintain confidence and ensure the effective uptake of support measures.

Support Structure Limitations
The Government’s approach to non-payroll supports was overly cautious. Many businesses
required grant-aid, not debt-based support, to cover overheads such as rent, utilities, and
inventory. More ambitious interventions, with a focus on liquidity and direct relief, are critical
during economic emergencies.

Recommendations

1. Broaden Eligibility: Ensure that future supports are accessible to a wider range of
   businesses, particularly SMEs that fall just outside narrow qualification criteria.
2. Target Sectoral Supports: Develop tailored relief packages for sectors most impacted by
   economic disruption.
3. Address Regional Needs: Prioritise regional development and workforce planning
   initiatives to mitigate area-specific challenges.
4. Enhance Communication: Maintain regular, transparent engagement with the business
   community to foster trust and clarity around available supports.
5. Offer Grant-Based Support for Overheads: Move away from reliance on debt-based
   assistance in favour of grants that support the full spectrum of operational costs.
   
   Chambers Ireland acknowledges the unprecedented scale of the challenges brought on by the
   COVID-19 pandemic and commends the Government’s swift action in delivering key supports
   that helped stabilise the economy and safeguard employment. Measures such as the Temporary
   Wage Subsidy Scheme and Microfinance Ireland’s loan programmes proved vital in sustaining
   businesses through periods of extreme disruption.
   
   However, the crisis also exposed critical gaps in the design and delivery of support mechanisms
   particularly in terms of limited eligibility, uneven regional impact and insufficient sectoral
   targeting. These shortcomings highlight the importance of building more inclusive, responsive
   and regionally attuned policy frameworks to better support the full diversity of our business
   landscape in future emergencies.
   
   We encourage the Government to embed the lessons learned into future crisis planning. This
   includes broadening access to supports, increasing the use of direct grant aid and strengthening
   communication with the business community to ensure clarity and effective uptake. By investing
   in more adaptable and equitable systems of support, the State will be better positioned to
   respond to future disruptions as they are presented.
   
   While the financial supports introduced were essential, many businesses faced significant
   challenges in accessing them due to bureaucratic hurdles. Lengthy application processes,
   complex eligibility criteria and inconsistent communication across agencies created delays at a
   time when speed was critical. For example, smaller businesses often lack the administrative
   capacity to navigate red tape effectively. As a result, we recommend streamlining grant
   application systems to ensure greater efficiency and accessibility. This would reduce barriers to
   entry, enabling businesses to access emergency funding swiftly and equitably when it is most
   urgently needed. However, we do recognise that the Government is aware of these barriers and
   is actively working to streamline the process and improve efficiency.
   
   We also acknowledge and commend the exceptional efforts of the civil service and Revenue
   Commissioners during the COVID-19 crisis. At Chambers Ireland Sustainable Business Awards
   2022, a Special Recognition Award was presented to the Civil Service Covid Business Support
   Teams, reflecting the enormous contribution made to business sustainability by those civil
   servants charged with delivering the various Government Covid supports to businesses on a
   timely and efficient basis. As circumstances rapidly evolved, they demonstrated flexibility and
   commitment in designing and delivering new support mechanisms. This was critical in mitigating
   the economic fallout of the pandemic and demonstrates the importance of maintaining this
   institutional agility in the face of potential future emergencies.
   
   Finally, it is important to recognise that the COVID-19 pandemic presented an extraordinary and
   entirely unprecedented challenge for governments worldwide. The Irish Government,
   Department’s and Local Government’s acted decisively under immense pressure and uncertainty,
   with no clear roadmap to follow. The speed at which key support schemes were developed and
   rolled out, despite the complex and evolving nature of the crisis, reflects a commendable
   commitment to protecting public health and sustaining economic stability. While there are
   lessons to be learned, the overall response demonstrated resilience, adaptability and a genuine
   effort to safeguard the social and economic fabric of the country during an unparalleled global
   emergency.
   
   Footnotes
   1 https://chambers.ie/press-releases/chambers-ireland-calls-for-cabinet-to-give-clarity-and-certainty-to-business/