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Medical device manufacturer Medtronic are set to more than double the number of staff in their Galway factory with the creation of 300 new jobs.The new roles are being created to increase the number of ventilators being manufactured to meet the demand being made by the COVID19 outbreak.Ireland is responsible for more than half of the worlds’ ventilator supply and Medtronic is one of the main manufacturers of this device.Jobs being created will be manufacturing based roles and new hires will join the current staff of 250 to increase the number of hours that the factory is running and to expand the capacity.<a href="https://www.manpower.ie/job/231576/production-operators-galway/?fbclid=IwAR2plAxoV5aveqtAao81A8Q_taZ06MxKEME2vmaoHuCt3owkjm5q5qywRzw">APPLY HERE.</a>

Medtronic Create 300 New Jobs in Galway

Minister for Education Joe McHugh has confirmed that schools will not be reopening in the short term.He announced on GalwayBay FM that schools will not be opening on Monday and that more information is expected to be confirmed today or tomorrow regarding extensions of school closures.Regarding state exams, the minister said that he and his department &quot;really want to make those exams happen&quot;.He said they owed it to young people to &quot;see this through and try to have the exams this year&quot;.

Schools will not Re-Open on Monday

Lots of people are asking;What should they do if their place of employment is still open and they have Covid-19 Symptoms?What payment will they receive if they are layed off work or lose their job permanently and how &amp; where do they apply?<h2>ANSWERS;</h2>DO NOT GO TO WORK IF YOU HAVE COVID-19 SYMPTOMSIf you have Covid-19 symptoms you should not attend work, contact your GP and self-isolate for 14 days. Be aware of the symptoms, they include;• a cough - this can be any kind of cough, not just dry• shortness of breath• breathing difficulties• fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above) or chillsOther symptoms are fatigue, headaches, sore throat, aches and pains. If you develop symptoms you will need to self-isolate and phone your GP. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. The GP will assess you over the phone. If they think you need to be tested for coronavirus, they will arrange a test. You can apply for Illness Benefit for COVID-19 absences. The personal rate for this payment is €305, as compared with the normal Illness Benefit rate of €203.It will be paid for a maximum of 2 weeks where a person is self-isolating, but will be paid for the duration of a person&#39;s absence from work if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (Coronavirus). We must stress that you cannot visit your doctor. You must contact them by phone. (Source; HSE.ie)Full details and more information available here; <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/service/df55ae-how-to-apply-for-illness-benefit-for-covid-19-absences/">https://www.gov.ie/en/service/df55ae-how-to-apply-for-illness-benefit-for-covid-19-absences/</a> BUSINESS TEMPORARY CLOSURESIf your place of work has closed for business due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and your employer cannot pay you, you can apply for an emergency COVID-19 Unemployment Payment?The payment is available to all employees and the self-employed Full and Part-Time who have lost employment due to the pandemic. It is also available for Students who were working and lost pay.You will get a payment of €350 per week for up to 6 weeks (as applicable). Minister Regina Doherty has confirmed that they are currently working on revising this payment scheme, so more information will also be available in the coming days.MORE DETAILS &amp; TO APPLY GO HERE; <a href="https://services.mywelfare.ie/en/other-info-pages/covid-19/">https://services.mywelfare.ie/en/other-info-pages/covid-19/</a> PERMANENT BUSINESS CLOSURES &amp; PERMANENT UMEMPLOYMENTIf you are unemployed, as in your company has closed for good or your position has ceased to exist, you will need to apply for and be assessed for Jobseeker’s payment supports. It may also be possible to apply for the Emergency COVID-19 Unemployment Payment in the interim and we recommend you also apply for Unemployment Benefit as soon as possible. You  can apply for a Jobseeker&#39;s Allowance/Benefit on <a href="www.MyWelfare.ie">www.MyWelfare.ie</a>There&#39;s also a wealth of information being constantly updated <a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/covid19_overview.html">HERE</a> on issues such as;<ul><li>Health Information</li><li>Employment and income supports</li><li>Mortgage, loans and rent</li><li>Housing</li><li>Utilities</li><li>Education</li><li>Travel</li><li>Older people</li></ul>STAY SAFE! COVID-19: Get all of the latest updates for Employees and Employers <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/covid-19-all-the-latest-updates-for-employees-and-employers">here.</a>

QUESTIONS RE; SICK LEAVE, TEMP & PERMANENT LAY OFF?

The Irish Government will introduce a significant financial package next week for those who have lost their jobs due to coronavirus-related disruption and others at risk of becoming unemployed, Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney said on (today) Sunday 22nd March.Other European countries like Britain and Denmark have moved to pay up to 80% of the wages of staff who have either lost or are at risk of losing income as a result of the pandemic&quot;.&quot;I want to reassure people that the government are going to introduce a significant and supportive economic package in the coming days that will go well beyond what we have announced to date,&quot; Coveney told national broadcaster RTE. &quot;That will treat everybody equally, so in other words we are not going to separate the people who have lost their jobs to date from the people who may lose their jobs next week.We want to do something that provides, if you like, a guaranteed level of income for everybody across the country.&quot;Ireland has so far introduced an emergency 203 euros a week payment for employees and self-employed people who have lost their jobs or had hours cut and the government has said it will refund the same amount to struggling firms who keep staff on. It said 58,000 people had already claimed the payment by Wednesday, just three days after its introduction following the closure of schools, childcare facilities and pubs.A huge number of restaurants and retailers followed suit voluntarily.Ireland is planning to ramp up coronavirus testing to cut a waiting list that stands at 40,000, over three times the number tested this week alone, Health Service Executive (HSE) operations chief Anne O&#39;Connor told a news conference.With 41 test centres due to be in operation from Tuesday, including a naval ship anchored in Dublin&#39;s River Liffey, the HSE plans to conduct 4,500 tests a day from Monday. It is distributing 40,000 test kits around the country and is close to finalising an order from China for 100,000 more.HSE chief executive Paul Reid added that the 50,000 people from all manner of professions who answered a recruitment call issued last week included 5,000 nurses and 1,000 doctors.&quot;This week is a huge week in the history of the healthcare system in Ireland,&quot; Reid said. &quot;We can save lives by our actions this week.COVID-19: Get all of the latest updates for Employees and Employers <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/covid-19-all-the-latest-updates-for-employees-and-employers">here.</a>

Significant Income Support Announcements on the Way

Super Mom
Mom, you&#39;re a wonderful mother,
So gentle, yet so strong.
The many ways you show you care
Always make me feel I belong.
You&#39;re patient when I&#39;m foolish;
You give guidance when I ask;
It seems you can do most anything;
You&#39;re the master of every task.
You&#39;re a dependable source of comfort;
You&#39;re my cushion when I fall.
You help in times of trouble;
You support me whenever I call.
I love you more than you know;
You have my total respect.
If I had my choice of mothers,
You&#39;d be the one I&#39;d select!
By Joanna Fuchs

Happy Mother's Day

Have a safe and Happy Mother&#39;s Day everyone.Our Minister for Health Simon Harris, has urged people to find other ways to show their appreciation to their Mothers. while still observing social distancing. He also paid tribute to Mothers working in the health service and also those working in retail outlets who are making sure people could still access fresh food.

Happy Mother's Day - Share Love not Sickness

Written by John Boyne on the March 18th, 2020.To help foster creativity among Irish children and teenagers during this current crisis, I’m running a SHORT STORY COMPETITION, aimed at 6-18 year olds, with lots of book tokens to give out as prizes.There are 3 categories:<ul><li>6-10 year olds</li><li>11-14 year olds</li><li>15-18 year olds</li></ul>So this is the way it will work:<ul><li>3 categories, 6-10 year olds; 11-14 year olds; 15-18 year olds.</li><li>The total prize fund originally stood at €3,600, but thanks to the generosity of NATIONAL BOOK TOKENS, who offered to double the fund, it now stands at €7,200</li><li>Each category will have an overall winner who receives a €200 national book token. Each category will also have 10 winners of a €100 national book token and 16 winners of a €50 national book token and 20 winners of a €20 national book token</li><li>All stories to be submitted in WORD DOCUMENT FORMAT to: johnboynestory@gmail.com by Wednesday 25th March, 5 pm.</li><li>Please DO NOT send in pdf or Google Docs format. (If you already have, don’t worry, I’ve converted them, but it just adds to my workload! So WORD DOCUMENT FORMAT only!)</li><li>Stories must be no longer than 300 words.</li><li>Entrants need to include their name, email address, phone number, postal address and age, so I know which category they’re entering.</li><li>The Gutter Bookshop is supplying the book token cards and envelopes but the book tokens are national book tokens so can be used anywhere in Ireland.</li><li>All stories can potentially be shared over the radio on RTE’s Liveline by Joe Duffy.</li></ul>The judges are a who’s who of Irish writing!<ul><li>Alex Barclay, Anne Enright, Anne Griffin, Cecelia Ahern, Claire Kilroy, Dermot Bolger, Donal Ryan, Eoin Colfer, Helen Cullen, John Boyne, Kevin Power, Louise O’Neill, Paul Murray, Roddy Doyle, Sarah Webb, </li></ul><img src="https://jobalert-blog-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/image/update.jpg" alt="undefined"></img>Good luck!Original source: <a href="https://johnboyne.com/short-story-competition/">https://johnboyne.com/short-story-competition/</a>Keep up to date with progress of the competition on John Boyne&#39;s Twitter page<a href="https://twitter.com/john_boyne"> here.</a>

Short Story Competition aimed at 6-18 years olds - Lots of Prizes to be won

<h2>The UK Government is to cover 80 per cent of workers&#39; salaries up to £2,500. Interested in your thoughts. Is this a better solution than the weekly €203 Covid Pandemic Payment?</h2>Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the extraordinary measures today after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered all pubs and restaurants, cafes and gyms to shut their doors tonight and not reopen.“Employers will be able to contact HMRC for a grant to cover most of the wages for people who are not working but kept on payroll rather than being laid off,” Sunak said.“Up to 80 per cent of wages [will be covered], or up to £2,500 a month. Employers can top up salaries further if they choose to.“That means workers in any part of the UK can retain their job even if their employer cannot afford to retain them.”Any British business, large or small, can apply for a wage bailout if it is struggling from the coronavirus fallout.Sunak said the government will back date the wage bailout to 1 March and keep it open for at least three months.<h2>‘No limit’ on wage bailout fund</h2>The chancellor added he would extend that timescale if necessary, and told businesses there was “no limit” on how much money the government will make available for the scheme.“We have never had a scheme like this in our country before and we are having to build our systems from scratch,” he added.However, HMRC is working to ensure the first grants are available within weeks, Sunak added. Businesses can apply for the relief from Monday.The chancellor repeated his call for firms affected by the UK coronavirus outbreak not to make people redundant in return for the huge wage bailout.“The economic intervention we are announcing today is unprecedented in the history of the British state,” he added. “I know people are worried about losing their jobs and not being able to pay the rent or mortgage about not having enough set by for food and bills.“To all those at home right now anxious bout the days ahead – you will not face this alone. But getting through this will require a collective national effort with a role for everyone to play. It’s on all of us.”Meanwhile, the Prime Minister reiterated his three-month target to flatten the curve of the UK coronavirus outbreak.Yesterday he had appeared to row back on his aim to have sent the virus “packing” by June.“We are going to do it with testing and new medicines and new technology that can see the disease as it’s transmitted,” Johnson said.“We’re going to defeat the disease with a huge national effort to slow the spread by reducing unnecessary social contact,” the PM added.“I know it’s been tough and inconvenient but these actions we are are all taking are taking the strain off the NHS.”It came as UK coronavirus deaths hit 184 and infections rose to 3,297.The NHS is under huge pressure to deal with the UK coronavirus crisis. And this afternoon London’s Northwick Park hospital announced a “critical incident” as it ran out of beds to treat Covid-19 patients.Further cash flow support through the tax system to help businesses pay people and keep them in work deferring next quarter of vat payments – no biz vat payments between now and June. Government defers VAT payments for UK businessesSunak also said he would postpone companies’ VAT payments until June, in business relief worth over £30bn. The chancellor said that was equivalent to 1.5 per cent of GDP.“I know it’s incredibly difficult out there. We in government are doing everything we can to support you. We are deferring over £30bn taxes to the end of the financial year,” he said.It comes after the Bank of England slashed UK interest rates to a historic low of 0.1 per cent yesterday. And it also announced £200bn of quantitative easing in a bid to battle the UK coronavirus outbreak.The government has already pledged £330bn in loans to keep businesses alive as people opt not to go out.Businesses welcome Rishi Sunak’s measuresDame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI director-general, welcomed the intervention.She said: “This is a landmark package of measures for business, people and jobs. The chancellor’s offer of substantial payroll support, fast access to cash and tax deferral will support the livelihoods of millions. Firms and employees will respond with relief and determination.“It marks the start of the UK’s economic fightback – an unparalleled joint effort by enterprise and government to help our country emerge from this crisis with the minimum possible damage.  An important day for our country.” And Adam Marshall, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce, added: “The chancellor has given businesses desperately needed breathing room at this critical moment.“The deferral of VAT payments keeps money in the pockets of businesses so that they can pay their people and suppliers, and the commitment to cover wages of those unable to work will allow firms to retain jobs if they are forced to reduce their operations.“The government now needs to go foot-to-floor to ensure that details of the job retention scheme and loan guarantees reach firms on the ground as soon as possible. Given that this situation continues to evolve, ministers must also keep the door open to additional measures to support business cash flow.”<h2>What about the self-employed?</h2>But Bectu, a union representing freelancers, criticised Sunak for not including self-employed contractors in his relief.Head of Bectu,Philippa Childs, called it a “devastating blow” for such workers. “These workers are looking to the Chancellor in desperation for a vital lifeline and he has badly let them down,” she added.“It is clear the chancellor simply doesn’t understand the hardship these workers are in- telling them to simply claim universal credit while other workers have their incomes protected is cruel and unfair.” COVID-19: Get all of the latest updates for Employees and Employers <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/covid-19-all-the-latest-updates-for-employees-and-employers">here.</a>

Coronavirus UK Wage Bailout v's the Irish Solution

Tesco Ireland announced today that they will be giving their staff a 10% bonus on their hourly rate of pay, in recognition of their incredible effort during the COVID-19 pandemic.The increase will be backdated to the 9th of March 2020 and will remain in effect right up until the 1st of May 2020. The situation will then be review accordingly.The CEO of Tesco Ireland, Kari Daniels said: “It’s been an unprecedented couple of weeks and despite the enormous challenges, it’s been incredible to see how colleagues have stepped up and responded, doing an outstanding job. &quot;This pay bonus is just one way we are saying thank you to our colleagues and recognising that they are on the front-line, helping to serve Ireland’s shoppers during these uncertain and difficult times.”General Secretary John Douglas said, &quot;This Covid-19 crisis has made one thing abundantly clear to everyone across all our communities in relation to the essential public service carried out by all frontline retail workers in ensuring much needed essential supplies for us all.&quot;The selfless and dedicated work carried out by these workers by keeping stocks replenished on the supermarket shelves and by making sure supermarkets remain open during this crisis deserves to be recognised and rewarded by their employer Tesco.&quot;We now call on all other retailers to follow Tesco&#39;s example and reward their workforce for stepping up to the plate in these worryingly dangerous times.&quot;Mr Douglas added that he believed much more needed to be done by the government to protect jobs and businesses.COVID-19: Get all of the latest updates for Employees and Employers <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/covid-19-all-the-latest-updates-for-employees-and-employers">here.</a>

Tesco give staff 10% bonus for their 'incredible effort' 

RTÉ announced today that they will start broadcasting school on TV to support kids &amp; parents at home. The programme will primarily be aimed at kids in 1st - 6th class.The Department of Education are supporting the new initiative along with RTÉ in order to help primary school children continue their learning from home during the COVID-19 crisis.Start date:The one hour programmes will start from Monday the 30th of March 2020 and they&#39;ll run for 1 hour between 11am - 12pm, Monday to Friday. In addition to the pogramme, there will be a shorter catch up programme that will air in the afternoon time. Teachers will be presenting each lesson from a school classroom. The new programme will be made available on the RTÉ Player. On <a href="https://www.rte.ie/learn/">RTE.ie/learn</a> you will be able to access supporting worksheets and other learning material. -COVID-19: Get all of the latest updates for Employees and Employers <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/covid-19-all-the-latest-updates-for-employees-and-employers">here.</a>

RTÉ to start broadcasting school on TV to support kids & parents at home

Published: 19 March 2020From: Department of Employment Affairs and Social ProtectionMinister Doherty announces two weeks entitlement in a Single Payment and a public awareness campaign for new Pandemic Unemployment PaymentMinister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, announced today that a single payment to cover two weeks will be made to social welfare customers, beginning next week (Monday, 23 March) as a special response to the COVID-19 pandemic.The single payment giving two weeks of entitlement will be made on some social welfare schemes next week.Customers on the remaining schemes will be paid the two weeks entitlement in a single payment the following week. These payments will be made to customers who collect their payments at post offices and who are paid into a bank account.Minister Doherty explained:“We have to look at every possible measure we can take to promote social distancing. Rather than have recipients attend post offices weekly, we will be paying two weeks’ worth of benefit to cover the weeks of the 23rd March and 30th March to some clients and the weeks of the 30th March and 6th April to others to reduce the frequency of people showing up to collect their entitlements. We will continue to review how we provide our services throughout the current COVID-19 situation.”The Minister also announced that her department has commenced a public awareness campaign to inform people who may be affected by the economic downturn, that the new Pandemic Unemployment Payment is now available, in addition to the range of supports provided by the department, to both employees and the self-employed.A radio campaign will run for a period of two weeks across a range of national, regional and urban stations.Minister Doherty thanked both the public and her staff during what is an unprecedented moment for the department and Ireland’s welfare system.She said:“We have never experienced a challenge to our welfare system of this magnitude in living memory. Since last Friday, my department has been assisting an unprecedented increase in the numbers of people seeking income support from the department.“I’d like to thank all the staff of my department, many of whom have volunteered to work long hours, weekends and the Holiday to work around the clock to meet demand.“I would also like to thank the public for their patience and forbearance as we try to meet the challenge of a sudden large scale increase in demand for our services. Once more, I would encourage as many as possible to go online and download the application form for the Covid 19 Pandemic Unemployment payment. We are committed to getting payments to everyone as soon as possible.”COVID19 - new system ( basically fortnightly payment)Details of weekly Social Welfare Payment Arrangements for weeks beginning 23 March and 30 MarchPeople receiving the following payments will be paid for 2 weeks during the week beginning 23 March 2020:COVID19 - new system ( basically fortnightly payment)
Details of weekly Social Welfare Payment Arrangements for weeks beginning 23 March and 30 March
People receiving the following payments will be paid for 2 weeks during the week beginning 23 March 2020:

* Adoptive Benefit
* Back to Education Allowance
* Back To School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
* Back to Work Allowance
* Back To Work Enterprise Allowance
* Blind Pension
* Carers Allowance
* Carer&#39;s Benefit
* Death Benefit
* Deserted Wife&#39;s Allowance
* Deserted Wife&#39;s Benefit
* Disability Allowance
* Disablement Benefit
* Employment Support Scheme
* Guardians Payment (Contributory)
* Guardians Payment (Non-Contributory)
* Health and Safety Benefit
* Illness Benefit
* Incapacity Supplement
* Increase for Living on an Island
* Invalidity Pension
* Magdalen Commission Scheme
* Maternity Benefit
* Medical Care
* Occupational Injury Benefit
* Parent&#39;s Benefit
* Partial Capacity Benefit
* Paternity Benefit
* State Pension Contributory
* State Pension Non-Contributory
* Wage Subsidy Scheme
* Widow(er)s Pension Contributory
* Widowed Parent Grant
* Widowed Parent Grant Con
* Widow&#39;s, Widower&#39;s or Surviving Civil Partner&#39;s Pension (Non Contributory)
* Youth Employment Support Scheme
People receiving the following payments will be paid for 2 weeks during the week beginning 30 March 2020:
* Back to Education Allowance*
* Back to Work Allowance
* Back to Work Family Dividend
* Supplementary Welfare Allowance
* Creche Supplement
* Diet Supplement
* Daily Expenses Allowance
* Farm Assist
* Heat Supplement
* Humanitarian Aid
* Jobseeker&#39;s Allowance
* Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit
* Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit for the Self Employed
* One Parent Family Payment
* Part-time Job Incentive
* Rent Supplement
* Short Term Enterprise Allowance
* Supplementary Welfare Allowance
* Travel Supplement
* Working Family Payment
*Some recipients of the Back to Education Allowance will receive 2 weeks payment next week and others will receive their 2 weeks payment the following week. An application form for the new Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment can be downloaded from the website <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/cb3726-jobseekers-payments/">www.gov.ie/jobseekers </a>and returned to the department via Freepost at PO BOX 12896 Dublin 1.Members of the public can apply for another income support through the online portal <a href="https://services.mywelfare.ie/">www.MyWelfare.ie,</a> (they will need a Public Services Card); or phone the department on 1890 800 024 or 01 2481398 for the relevant application form for the new payment. <h2>How to direct social welfare payments to your bank account: </h2>Direct Payment to an Account in a Financial Institution
You can receive your social protection payments at any bank or post office of your choice, direct to your current or deposit account by completing the following form.
Please download the form and ensure it is filled in accurately. Completed forms can be sent by Freepost to the address referred to on the back of the form.
We cannot accept scanned copies, only original documents. Download the form on the <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6aca97-social-welfare-contacts/#direct-payment-to-an-account-in-a-financial-institution">gov.ie website here.</a><h2>Unable to collect your welfare payment? </h2>An Post will allow you to nominate someone to collect your welfare payment. Get all the details<a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/an-post-will-allow-you-to-nominate-someone-to-collect-your-welfar"> here.</a>COVID-19: Get all of the latest updates for Employees and Employers <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/covid-19-all-the-latest-updates-for-employees-and-employers">here.</a>

An Post to pay two weeks' social welfare benefit to customers from Monday

Thousands of workers who have recently been asked to work from home as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19 can avail of Revenue&#39;s e-worker tax relief. Tax refund specialists at Taxback.com say that many of these employees will never have worked from home before, and so will be unaware of the relief that is available to them.More than 100,000 people already worked from home before the Covid-19 outbreak and Revenue has made provisions for these people to be reimbursed for work-related expenses. These include heating, electricity and perhaps broadband expenses.Taxback.com said that by working from home over the coming weeks, and possibly months, people will incur some additional costs that they may not even be aware of.Joanna Murphy, CEO of Taxback.com, said that from a tax perspective, an employer can pay €3.20 a day to their employee to cover these additional costs. Ms Murphy said this payment is tax free, which means they won&#39;t be deducting PAYE, PRSI or USC from that amount. However, employers have no legal obligation to pay the tax relief.&quot;But even if your employer doesn&#39;t and/or isn&#39;t in a position to pay the €3.20, these expenses are eligible for tax relief meaning the home-worker can claim tax back on them,&quot; Joanna Murphy said.&quot;Any claims made will need to be supported with evidence in the form of receipts and possibly a letter from your employer stating that you do, in fact, work from home and that they do not reimburse you for these expenses,&quot; she added.Ms Murphy also said the allowance or rebate claimed must be reasonable, allowing for the fact that the utilities are for both personal and work and benefit everyone else in the home, so the refund received will be based on only a portion of the overall expenses. Source: <a href="https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2020/0320/1124297-working-from-home-tax-relief/">RTÉ</a>COVID-19: Get all of the latest updates for Employees and Employers <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/covid-19-all-the-latest-updates-for-employees-and-employers">here</a>.

Working from home? You claim tax relief for lighting, heat and broadband

Emma O&#39; Kelly
 - Education Correspondent, RTE. Chair, NUJ Dublin Broadcasting. <img src="https://jobalert-blog-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/image/LC.jpg" alt="undefined"></img>The Leaving Cert and Junior Cycle orals and practical exams are being cancelled – but students will be awarded full marks for them.

However, no decision has been made yet about the written exams in June, Education Minister Joe McHugh said today.

The school-based orals and practicals were due to take place over a two week period, starting next Monday.But schools will definitely be closed next week as part of the social distancing measures implemented to restrict the spread of Covid-19, and are likely to remain shut until after Easter.

Today’s announcement means that all students who were due to take part in orals and practicals in the following subjects will be given full marks for this part of the exam:

Oral tests in Leaving Certificate Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Japanese.
Practical performance tests in Leaving Certificate Music.
Practical performance tests in Junior Certificate Music and Home Economics.
However, the second phase of practical exams remain as originally scheduled from Monday April 27 to Friday May 8.

And no changes were announced for the written exams in the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) scheduled for Wednesday May 6, a range of oral and practical tests in the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) programme, along with the first examination in Leaving Certificate Computer Science on Wednesday 27 May, or the final written examinations starting on June 3.

Some 126,000 students are due to take the State examinations with 65,190 entered for the Junior Cycle examinations and 61,053 students due to sit the Leaving Cert.

Not all subjects have oral and practical components, so the awarding of full marks for a portion of an exam that has been cancelled – worth between 20pc and 40pc of all marks, depending on the subject - will raise equity issues, that exam chiefs will have to address.Minister McHugh also confirmed changes to deadlines for students to complete project work and coursework in a number of subjects.

Students were originally scheduled to complete these elements of the State exams between tomorrow, March 20 to Friday April 24, depending on the subject.

Students will now be given until Friday May 15 to complete this work.

Completion deadlines are extended for the following:

Leaving Certificate Computer Science, Physical Education, Technology, Art, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, History, Geography, Religious Education, Politics and Society, Music, Constructions Studies and Home Economics;
Junior Cycle Metalwork, Materials Technology Wood, Technology and Religious Education;
Junior Cycle Assessment Tasks in English, Irish, Modern languages, Science and Business Studies.
All eyes will now move to the what happens the written exams.

The Government and State Examinations Commission (SEC) are still hoping that circumstances will allow those to take place.

Mr McHugh said today that the Department of Education would continue to work with the SEC to monitor the Covid-19 situation in terms of its potential impact on the other later scheduled components of the state examinations.

“We will continue to respond at the right time and in the right way, with the impact on our students at the forefront of our minds,” Minister McHugh said.

He said he knew they were “asking a lot of people in order to stem the spread of Covid-19. In response to that I want students and their parents or guardians and teachers to be given flexibility as they work towards the exams.

“All of Government is hugely grateful for the effort, commitment and energy that students and teachers are putting in to continue education in difficult circumstances. I urge you all to keep up the momentum and focus on preparing for the exams.”<a href="https://www.independent.ie/world-news/coronavirus/leaving-cert-and-junior-cycle-orals-and-practical-exams-have-been-cancelled-39057608.html">Source. </a>

State exams: Leaving Cert, Junior Cycle orals & practical exams cancelled

Over 60 free and paid online learning and study resources for all students

A fundraising campaign to feed hospital staff, emergency workers and frontline staff has raised €200,000 in just three days.<img src="https://jobalert-blog-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/image/ireland.jpg2.jpg" alt="undefined"></img>Businessman Cian O’’Flaherty, one of the founders of the Feed The Heroes GoFundMe page, described the public response as ’’incredible’’, adding that donations &quot;went bananas&quot; once the campaign was picked up on social media.Based in Blackrock in Dublin, Mr O’’Flaherty set the page up with Tad McAllister with the aim of paying for food deliveries to hospitals for frontline staff who are putting in extra hours during the coronavirus outbreak.They were inspired by a social media post which showed a local business dropping food in to staff working in the Mater Hospital in Dublin.&quot;We’’re all sitting at home feeling helpless and, let’’s be honest, a little frightened,&quot; he said.&quot;We just wanted to feel like we were doing something useful.&quot;He said the response has been &quot;incredible&quot;, both in terms of the general public supporting the initiative - at the time of writing, €187,000 had been donated - and the people who are receiving the food donated.&quot;People are working triple, quadruple shifts,&quot; he said.<blockquote>&quot;They said it is giving them a big lift. That’’s all we can do.&quot;</blockquote>There are plans underway to ensure the service can continue long-term, including in the potential case of restaurants being issued general closure orders by the government, similar to those issued to pubs.Mr O’’Flaherty said they have consulted with people who own or have access to community kitchens, for instance.He said the public has been keen to show support so they want to make sure it keeps going.They have also been contacted by other local groups, including the Cork-based In For Lunch, who want to offer assistance to ensure healthcare and ambulance workers all over the country see the benefits of the fundraising.Mr O’’Flaherty said he hopes to see more deliveries to hospitals around the country in the coming days, too, with staff working at Cork University Hospital posting on Twitter an image of food dropped in to them as a result of the campaign.To donate, visit<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/feed-the-heroes"> www.gofundme.com/f/feed-the-heroes</a>ARE YOU A FOOD OPERATOR? If you are a potential food supplier sign up to deliver to our hospitals here: <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_84SgDs1CRju-Ja7EsDIoNp_C5LALKcMwmD1WbhCOlYXHSQ/viewform">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_84SgDs1CRju-Ja7EsDIoNp_C5LALKcMwmD1WbhCOlYXHSQ/viewform</a>

 <img src="https://jobalert-blog-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/image/ireland.jpg" alt="undefined"></img>

Over €200,000 Raised! Feed The Heroes campaign gets an incredible response

<img src="https://jobalert-blog-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/image/COVID19%20LATEST%20NEWS.jpg" alt="COVID 19 LATEST NEWS Jpg" style="max-width:calc(100% - 1.6rem);margin:1.6rem 0.8rem 2.4rem"/>An Irish company is preparing to release rapid Covid-19 testing kits, which can provide results in 15 minutes and potentially act as a &quot;clinical weapon&quot; against coronavirus.
The tests have been developed with the same technology contained in pregnancy tests and although they are in a pilot phase, they could reduce testing times dramatically from four hours to just 15 minutes.
Assay Genie, a Reagent Genie brand, will be releasing the rapid POC (Point of Care) kit within weeks globally and already some Irish hospitals have been in touch to sample the product, according to Colm Ryan, biochemist and chief executive of Assay Genie.
The test measures one drop of blood and according to the co-founder and CTO of the company Seán Mac Fhearraigh &quot;ultimately, we would have a clinical weapon to combat the spread of the virus&quot;.
Mr Ryan and Mr Mac Fhearraigh met at UCD when they were studying biochemistry.
They both have PhDs and were able to develop the kits after learning early on how the virus was spreading so quickly in Wuhan, China, where it was first identified.
&quot;We were working on this as soon as we found out about coronavirus, as we have contacts in China,&quot; Mr Ryan, from Co Tipperary, said. &quot;We were ahead of the curve, due to that.
&quot;So we worked with a partner to develop the kit to bring it to market and it&#x27;s CE certified for diagnostic use in Ireland.
&quot;We need to come together to fight this battle.
&quot;It&#x27;s similar to going through a war but we will stay together and get through it and unite.&quot;
The kit uses lateral flow technology to detect Covid-19 within just one drop of blood.
Currently, the virus is detected via an advanced molecular technique called quantitative real-time PCR, which takes four hours to deliver a result.
The Assay Genie kit uses colloidal gold immunochromatography to detect the virus and antibodies in human blood, serum and plasma.
Positive samples are shown by a colour change within the test kit.

The kit is so faR a research-use only test but there have been &quot;lots of contacts from Irish hospitals and in the UK, and round the world,&quot; Mr Ryan said.

&quot;They&#x27;re taking free tests on the first batch. We should have a consignment out in seven days.

&quot;We are getting a lot of contacts from frontline staff, especially from pharmacies.

&quot;We need a quick way of responding to this virus.

&quot;There&#x27;s a global shortage of raw materials for the test kits being used currently.

&quot;And I think some people don&#x27;t realise the mammoth task involved in testing.&quot;

Mr Ryan said he believes those showing symptoms should be tested and rapid testing should be used on medics who are dealing with the crisis up close.

Large companies have also shown an interest in the rapid tests, as they are concerned about having staff away from offices in self-isolation.

A rapid test for workers who may be showing cold symptoms could rule out coronavirus, or flag just when medical help is needed.

Mr Ryan also believes that anyone who is caring for the elderly and the vulnerable should also have easier access to testing.

But he says the rapid tests could only potentially be used by GPs and other medics.<a href="https://www.independent.ie/world-news/coronavirus/irish-developed-kit-confirms-infection-in-15-minutes-39046582.html" target="_blank">Source.</a>-<h2>COVID-19 LATEST:</h2>Here are the latest COVID-19 updates from The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection:The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection have just announced that their dedicated phone line for COVID-19 payment queries is open from the 17th of March, from 9am to 5pm.Call: 01-2481398 / 1890-800-024A dedicated Help Line set up for businesses around COVID-19 has also been set up. Call: +353 1 631 2002• Employees and Self Employed: How to apply for Jobseeker&#x27;s Payment? COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment - Emergency Payment for Employees and the Self Employed - is now available. <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/dept-of-employment-affairs-and-social-protection-notcie-14-march-" target="_blank">Apply here.</a>• Answers to frequently asked questions relating to Students, Part-Time Workers, Childcare Workers, People Abroad. Get all the answers <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/article/covid-19-answers-for-the-most-asked-questions" target="_blank">here.</a>• The Government is asking employers, if at all possible, to continue to pay workers during this period - at least at the jobseeker rate of €203 per week. Employers can then apply for a refund of €203 per week - <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/refund-of-203-per-worker-per-week-to-employers-who-pay-employees" target="_blank">more here.</a>• Unable to collect social welfare payments? An Post will allow you to nominate someone to collect your welfare payment. Get all the details <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/an-post-will-allow-you-to-nominate-someone-to-collect-your-welfar" target="_blank">here.</a>• Has your work week been cut short? Short-time Work Support Payment is now available. Details <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/short-time-work-support-payment-if-you-re-working-week-has-been-c" target="_blank">here.</a>• Workers who are diagnosed with COVID-19 - <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/workers-who-are-diagnosed-with-covid-19-how-to-apply-for-illness-" target="_blank">How to apply for illness benefit?</a>• Learn about your employment rights during COVID-19 restrictions <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/your-employment-rights-during-covid-19-restrictions" target="_blank">here.</a>• Have you been Laid-off or made redundant? Everything you need to know <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/lay-off-short-time-working-and-redundancy" target="_blank">here.</a>• Workers whose employers do not supplement the <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/workers-whose-employers-do-not-supplement-the-state-illness-benef" target="_blank">State Illness Benefit payment</a>• Have you been requested to stay at home by your employer due to COVID-19? <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/workers-who-are-requested-to-stay-at-home-by-their-employer-covid" target="_blank">Here&#x27;s what you need to know. </a>• Help for workers who are laid off temporarily or <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/workers-who-are-laid-off-temporarily-or-put-on-to-short-time-work" target="_blank">put on to short time working</a><a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/workers-who-need-to-take-time-off-to-care-for-person-affected-by-" target="_blank">• Workers who need to take time off to care for person affected by COVID-19</a><a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/workers-who-need-to-take-time-off-to-care-for-person-affected-by-" target="_blank">• </a>Support for your business: Learn about all of the Government supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/government-supports-for-covid-19-impacted-businesses" target="_blank">here.</a>Employment opportunities with the HSEBe On Call For Ireland – Sign up now. The HSE is looking for healthcare &amp; non healthcare professionals.Calling all healthcare Professionals, all disciplines, retired, students and people with other skills that can help during the effects and impact of COVID-19.Ireland needs you and you will be paid a salary in line with the role you are appointed to.<a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/be-on-call-for-ireland-hse-is-looking-for-healthcare-non-healthca" target="_blank">Click here for all the details. </a><a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/be-on-call-for-ireland-hse-is-looking-for-healthcare-non-healthca" target="_blank"></a>Wishing you all health and happiness.

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