Written reply to PQ on Job Support Scheme Payout Amounts

Question

Ms He Ting Ru: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what were the median and mean amounts paid out erroneously to each firm under the Jobs Support Scheme; (b) what steps will be taken to claim the amounts back from firms which cannot afford to repay the amounts; (c) whether the Ministry will continue to request for payments from firms that would be insolvent if payments are to be clawed back; and (d) how many firms who received the erroneous payments have since been wound up.

Written Answer by Minister for Trade and Industry Mr Chan Chun Sing

1. The median and mean amounts overpaid amounts were $3,300 and $69,000 respectively. IRAS will first offset the excess amount against the businesses’ future JSS payouts. Businesses will be informed of any outstanding excess amount to be returned after their final JSS payout. Businesses that face cashflow difficulties may approach us for assistance. Instalment payment arrangements will be available for businesses that need them. Based on our records, no firms who received the erroneous payments have been wound up to date.