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Deferral of Social Security payments by employers during Covid-19

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23.12.11.

9.   Deputy M. R. Scott of the Minister for Social Security regarding the deferral of Social Security payments (OQ.246/2023)

Regarding the deferral of social security payments by employers from the COVID-19 pandemic to date, will the Minister state the total number of employers who have benefited from these deferrals, and the highest number of employees of any single employer for which deferral of payments was agreed?

Deputy E. Millar (The Minister for Social Security);

1,176 businesses and employers benefited from the deferral of social security contributions. Social security contributions were deferred for the first 2 quarters of 2020 for all companies with less than 80 employees. Those with more than 80 employees could also benefit from the deferral but would have needed to apply. Different employers were in the scheme for different periods of time and many deferred part of their contribution liability rather than the full amount due relating to both part-time and full-time staff. As a result, officials are unable to conclusively state, without diverting significant resources, the highest number of employees for any single employer.

2.11.1   Deputy M.R. Scott :

Regardless of whether the Minister has the figures at hand or not and whether Deputy Southern feels she should or not, would she be able to express this as a percentage of total employers? I will leave it at that since it seems that just referring to the different sizes of workforces is a difficulty for her department.

Deputy E. Millar :

I do not think it is a question of difficulty, it is just what information you record and when and why. I am sorry, I have lost the track of her questions.

The Bailiff :

Something about expression as a percentage but I have to say that I did not entirely … Deputy E. Millar :

I do not have that number, 1,176, as a percentage of businesses as a whole. We have businesses of all types, from huge employers to sole traders. I do not have that number to hand but if she would like it I am sure it can be obtained.