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Redundancy occurs when you lose your job due to the closure of a business or a reduction of the workforce. This can happen due to lack of work available or the financial circumstances of the firm.Alternatively, an employer may lay you off or put you on short time for a number of weeks.<a href="http://www.lawreform.ie/_fileupload/RevisedActs/WithAnnotations/HTML/EN_ACT_1967_0021.htm">Under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967–2014 </a>a lay-off situation arises where your employer is unable to provide work for you, but believes this to be a temporary situation and gives you notification of the lay off before the work finishes.A short-time situation arises where, due to a reduction in the amount of work to be done, your weekly pay is less than half your normal weekly pay or your hours worked are reduced to less than half the normal weekly working hours. This must be a temporary situation and your employer must notify you before the reduction starts.<h3>COVID-19 (coronavirus)</h3>If your employment is affected by coronavirus, <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/your-employment-rights-during-covid-19-restrictions">you can read our document on Employment rights during the COVID-19 restrictions.</a><h2>Rules</h2>The employer should explain to the employees the reason for the lay off or short-time working and keep employees informed of the situation during this time. In both cases these must be temporary situations and your employer must notify you to this effect before they start. The best way to do this is by using <a href="http://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/Publications_Forms/Lay_Off_and_Short_Term_Procedures_Form_RP9_.pdf">Part A of form RP9 (pdf).</a> If your employer fails to notify you of the lay off or short-time working, there could be a claim for statutory redundancy payment against your employer.Your employer can lay you off or put you on short time if it is in your contract of employment or if it is custom and practice in your workplace. Otherwise your employer should not lay you off or put you on short time without your agreement. However if you do not agree you may be made redundant. You can read more about your options if you do not agree to the lay off or short-time working in our document on <a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/contracts_of_employment/being_asked_to_reduce_your_hours_of_work.en.html">being asked to reduce your pay or hours of work.</a><h3>Selection of employees</h3>When selecting employees for lay off or short-time working an employer should apply the same standard of selection criteria as for redundancy. The criteria should be reasonable and applied in a fair manner. For example, the custom and practice in the workplace may be last in, first out or the contract of employment may set out criteria for selection. Under employment equality legislation, the selection must not discriminate against employees on any of the following 9 grounds: gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, religious belief, race, sexual orientation or membership of the Traveller community.<h3>Social welfare payments</h3>If you are laid off or are on short-time working you may be entitled to Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit or Jobseeker&#39;s Allowance. If you are getting Working Family Payment this may be affected by the reduction in your working hours.<h3>Claiming redundancy</h3>If a lay-off or a short-time situation exists and has continued for 4 weeks or more, or for 6 weeks in the last 13 weeks, you may give your employer a notice in writing of your intention to claim redundancy under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967-2014 - see &#39;How to apply&#39; below. If the period of lay-off or redundancy has ended, you must do this within 4 weeks.Unless your employer gives you a counter-notice within 7 days of your notice, you may be entitled to a redundancy payment provided that you qualify for redundancy. If your employer gives you a counter-notice within the allotted time, it must be to the effect that within 4 weeks of the date of your claim for redundancy, it will be possible to offer you not less than 13 weeks&#39; work without lay off or short time.You should note that if you claim redundancy in this way you are considered to have left your job voluntarily and therefore you will lose any right to notice from your employer under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts 1973-2005. However if you have been laid off and you are subsequently made redundant by your employer you do not lose your notice entitlements.<h3>Redundancy payment and notice when on short time</h3>If you have been put on short time and then are made redundant your redundancy payment may be based on your pay for a full week. It has been the view of the Employment Appeals Tribunal (now the Workplace Relations Commission) that when a person is put on short time, that is, less than half their normal weekly earnings, the gross wage for the calculation of a redundancy lump sum is based on a full week&#39;s pay.Notice: When your employer gives you notice, your notice entitlement is based on your full-time work. When you were put on short-time work, your contract of employment was temporarily suspended. When your employer decided to make you redundant, he or she had to re-activate your contract in order to dismiss you on grounds of redundancy. If you were made redundant and you were not required to work out your notice you are entitled to payment in lieu of notice which is your normal pay for that notice period. This means that your notice entitlement is based on the hours of work in your contract of employment, not on the short-time hours of work.<h3>Duration of lay off or short time</h3>If you do not wish to claim redundancy but the lay-off or short-time situation continues, the question arises as to whether it is a temporary situation. If it becomes apparent that it is no longer temporary then the situation is now a redundancy rather than a lay-off or short-time working. It is the employer who initially decides whether or not there is a redundancy situation. If there is a dispute about this it should be referred to the Workplace Relations Commission to make a decision.<h3>Seasonal workers</h3>In the case of workers who have been laid off for an average period of more than 12 weeks during the 4 years prior to redundancy, the provisions relating to lay off above will not apply until the end of that average period. If you are a seasonal worker, therefore, there will normally be no question of redundancy until the usual commencement time of your seasonal work. If you are not then re-employed, the question of redundancy arises, but not until then.<h2>How to apply</h2>If you have been laid off or on short-time working for 4 weeks or more, you may give your employer notice of your intention to claim a redundancy payment on form <a href="http://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/Publications_Forms/Lay_Off_and_Short_Term_Procedures_Form_RP9_.pdf">RP9 (pdf).</a>If your employer has not paid your redundancy lump sum, you should apply to your employer for it using form RP77 (pdf). If your employer still refuses to pay it, you can apply to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection for direct payment from the Social Insurance Fund. This must be done online using <a href="http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Online-Redundancy-Claim.aspx">form RP50 as follows:</a><ul><li>If your employer is unable to pay your redundancy lump sum, they should sign the RP50. They should submit a letter from an accountant or solicitor stating they are unable to pay and accepting liability for 100% of the lump sum owing to the Social Insurance Fund. Documentary evidence such as audited accounts should also be included.</li><li>If your employer refuses to pay your redundancy lump sum or if there is a dispute about redundancy you can bring a claim to the Workplace Relations Commission. You must use the online complaint form available on workplacerelations.ie. This must be done within one year of your dismissal. Then you apply for your lump sum by sending a completed form RP50 together with a favourable decision from the adjudicator of the Workplace Relations Commission.</li></ul><h2>Where to apply</h2>You should send your application for payment from the Social Insurance Fund to:<h3>Redundancy Payments Section</h3>Department of Employment Affairs and Social ProtectionGround FloorGandon HouseAmiens StreetDublin 1D01 A361Tel: (01) 673 4500 (If calling from outside the Republic of Ireland please call + 353 1 673 4500)Locall: 1890 800 699 (Note: the rates charged for using 1890 (Lo-call) numbers may vary)Homepage: <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/service/78213a-redundancy-payments/">https://www.gov.ie/en/service/78213a-redundancy-payments/</a>For further information about the Redundancy Payments Scheme contact:<h3>Workplace Relations Commission - Information and Customer Service</h3>O&#39;Brien RoadCarlowR93 E920Opening Hours: Mon. to Fri. 9.30am to 5pmTel: (059) 917 8990Locall: 1890 80 80 90Homepage: <a href="https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/">https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/ </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>

Lay-off, short-time working and redundancy

<h2>Introduction</h2>Ireland entered the ‘delay phase’ in its response to COVID -19 (coronavirus) on 13 March 2020. This means that:<ul><li>All schools, childcare and educational facilities have closed</li><li>Indoor gatherings of more than 100 people or outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people have been cancelled</li><li>All State-run cultural institutions have closed</li></ul>These measures will remain in place until 29 March 2020.The Government has <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/99104a-covid-19-coronavirus/">encouraged employers</a> to allow employees to work from home where possible, and be as flexible as possible in their response to the restrictions that are now in place.This document outlines the options available to employees in a number of different scenarios, and directs you to where you can get more information and financial assistance if needed.<h2>If you are sick or have been asked to self-isolate</h2>If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, you should not go to work. You should contact your GP for advice. Coronavirus symptoms are explained on the <a href="https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html#Symptoms">HSE website.</a>While you are sick with coronavirus, you may be entitled to <a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/leave_and_holidays/sick_leave.en.html">sick pay</a> from your employer. This depends on your contract of employment. Your employer does not have to pay you when you cannot come to work because you are sick with coronavirus, unless it is part of your contract of employment.If your employer does not pay you, you should apply for enhanced Illness Benefit (<a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/workers-who-are-diagnosed-with-covid-19-how-to-apply-for-illness-">More information here</a>) from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. You do not need to satisfy the usual PRSI conditions for Illness Benefit if you are off sick from work with COVID-19. This means that you will be eligible for the payment even if you have only recently started working.Your GP may advise you to self-isolate before you have been diagnosed with COVID-19. This means that you have been asked to stay indoors and completely avoid contact with other people. You are entitled to Illness Benefit if you have been medically advised to self-isolate.Enhanced Illness Benefit will be paid at a higher rate than Illness Benefit and is only available where you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have been told to self-isolate by a medical professional because of COVID-19.<a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/workers-who-are-diagnosed-with-covid-19-how-to-apply-for-illness-">You can read more about claiming Illness Benefit.</a><h2><a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/workers-who-are-diagnosed-with-covid-19-how-to-apply-for-illness-"></a>If you have to care for someone who is sick with COVID-19 or has been told to self-isolate</h2>If you are not sick, but you cannot go to work because you have to care for a sick child or other relative, you can ask for paid leave. If your employer cannot give you paid leave, you can ask for statutory leave. Statutory means that the leave is set out in law, for example, your right to parental leave.<h3>Paid compassionate leave</h3>Employers have been asked to be as flexible as possible in assisting employees with care arrangements. This could include:<ul><li>Offering paid compassionate leave</li><li>Allowing you to work from home</li><li>Altering your shifts, so that you can coordinate caring between you and your partner, or another person.</li><li>Allowing you to rearrange holidays</li><li>Allowing you to take paid time off that you can work back at a later time</li></ul><h3>Statutory leave</h3>If none of the options above is available to you, and you cannot arrange for paid leave from your employer, you can apply for one of the statutory schemes below.<ul><li><a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/leave_and_holidays/types_of_leave_from_work.html#lcdc92">Force majeure leave (this is paid leave)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/leave_and_holidays/parental_leave.en.html">Parental leave</a> if you are looking after a child up to the age of 12 (or 16 if the child has a disability)</li><li><a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/leave_and_holidays/parents_leave.en.html">Parent’s leave</a> if you are caring for a child up to the age 1 who was born after 1 November 2019</li></ul>You are allowed to take 3 days force majeure leave in a 12-month period, or 5 days in a 36 month period. You can ask your employer to allow you to take the full 5 days paid force majeure leave together.You normally give your employer 6 weeks’ notice if you want to take parental or parent’s leave, but you can ask your employer to wave this notice period.Your employer does not have to pay you when you are on parental or parent’s leave. If you are on parent’s leave you can apply for <a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_to_families_and_children/parents_benefit.en.html">Parent’s Benefit.</a> If you are on parental leave, you can apply for means-tested <a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/supplementary_welfare_allow.en.html">Supplementary Welfare Allowance.</a><h2>If you can’t go to work because you have no childcare</h2>Your place of work may still be open over the coming weeks, and your employer may be expecting you to go to work as usual. If you cannot do this because you have to look after children and they are not sick with the virus, you can ask your employer for paid leave.The Government has asked employers to be as flexible as possible in allowing staff time off to look after their children or other members of their families. This could include:<ul><li>Offering paid compassionate leave</li><li>Allowing you to work from home</li><li>Altering your shifts, so that you can coordinate caring between you and your partner, or another person.</li><li>Allowing you to rearrange holidays</li><li>Allowing you to take paid time off that you can work back at a later time</li></ul><h3>Statutory leave</h3>If none of the above is available to you, and you cannot arrange for paid leave from your employer, you can apply for one of the statutory schemes below. Statutory means that they are set out in law.<ul><li><a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/leave_and_holidays/parental_leave.en.html">Parental leave</a> if you are looking after a child up to the age of 12 (or 16 if the child has a disability)</li><li><a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/leave_and_holidays/parents_leave.en.html">Parent’s leave</a> if you are caring for a child up to age 1 who was born after 1 November 2019</li></ul>You normally give your employer 6 weeks’ notice if you want to take parental or parent’s leave, but you can ask your employer to wave this notice period.Your employer does not have to pay you when you are on parental or parent’s leave. If you are on parent’s leave you can apply for <a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_to_families_and_children/parents_benefit.en.html">Parent’s Benefit.</a> If you are on parental leave, you can apply for means-tested <a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/supplementary_welfare_allow.en.html">Supplementary Welfare Allowance.</a><h2>If your employer has no work for you, or less work than usual</h2>Your employer may decide to close their business for this period and send you home. This is called a temporary lay-off. If your employer cannot pay for this period, you can apply for <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/dept-of-employment-affairs-and-social-protection-notcie-14-march-">Jobseeker’s Benefit</a> or <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/dept-of-employment-affairs-and-social-protection-notcie-14-march-">Jobseeker’s Allowance.</a>If your employer reduces your hours to 3 days or less per week from your normal full-time hours, you can apply for a payment called <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/short-time-work-support-payment-if-you-re-working-week-has-been-c">Short Time Work Support which is a form of Jobseeker’s Benefit.</a>Your employer can also put you on short-time working which is a more formal procedure and applies in the following situation:<ul><li>Due to a reduction in the amount of work to be done, your weekly pay is less than half your normal weekly pay or</li><li>Your hours worked are reduced to less than half your normal weekly working hours</li></ul><a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/lay-off-short-time-working-and-redundancy">Find out more about lay-off and short-time working.</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>

Your employment rights during COVID-19 restrictions

COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways.
The Government has announced that the rules for Illness Benefit and Supplementary Welfare Allowance will be changed to help prevent the transmission of coronavirus. The changes mean that if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 or are suspected of having COVID-19 and are medically required to self-isolate, you can get income support.
Legislation is required to implement these changes and emergency legislation is being prepared.
The proposed changes are:
You will not have to wait 6 days before you can apply for Illness Benefit. This means Illness Benefit can cover the first week of a COVID-19 diagnosis (or medically-required self-isolation) and any subsequent weeks.
The personal rate of Illness Benefit will increase from €203 to €305 per week for up to 2 weeks if you are medically required to self-isolate, or for the duration of your medically-certified absence from work with a COVID-19 diagnosis. The new enhanced Illness Benefit rate will be effective from 9 March 2020 and workers will be entitled to a refund of any arrears due from this date when the legislation is in place.
The normal social insurance requirements for Illness Benefit will be waived or the means test for Supplementary Welfare Allowance will be removed, if you are medically required to self-isolate or diagnosed with COVID-19.Where an employee or a self-employed person is medically required to <a href="https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/self-isolation-and-limited-social-interaction.html">self-isolate</a> or has been diagnosed with Covid-19, they can apply for the enhanced <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/service/df55ae-how-to-apply-for-illness-benefit-for-covid-19-absences/">Illness Benefit payment</a>. In the interests of public health, this payment will only be paid where people remain confined to their home or a medical facility while in receipt of this enhanced Illness Benefit.
How to qualify
To receive the enhanced payment, you must be:
• self-isolating on the instruction of a doctor or diagnosed with COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
• be absent from work and not getting paid by your employer
The standard increases payable in respect of adult and child dependents will continue to be paid. Rates of paymentThe personal rate for this payment is €305, as compared with the normal Illness Benefit rate of €203.How to ApplyStep 1If you are suffering from COVID-19 or a doctor advises that you self-isolate, the doctor will then complete a medical certificate on your behalf and send this directly to the department.
To receive a payment, you will need to provide your doctor with your:
• name
• PPS Number
• date of birth
Step 2You now need to complete an application form for Illness Benefit (Form IB 1)There are three ways that you can make an application:
• you can call 1890 800 024 or 01 2481398 between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday to get an application form by post• organise someone to pick up a form at your doctor’s surgery or at your<a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/service/40cf48-find-your-local-intreo-office/"> local Intreo Centre</a>• an online application process will be available by the end of MarchIf you have been medically certified to self-isolate or are diagnosed with COVID-19 do not attend your doctor&#39;s office or Intreo Centre.It is important to complete part 5 of the Illness Benefit form as this contains how you would like to be paid. You don&#39;t have to fill in part 7 of the form.Send your application form by Freepost to:Social Welfare ServicesAddress: PO Box 1650, Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Dublin 1
Once both the application form and the medical certificate are received payment will be processed.You should continue to liaise with your doctor in relation to your diagnosis and the length of time you are medically certified unfit to work because of COVID-19 .To help us to process all payments as quickly as possible, we would kindly ask you not to phone the department seeking updates on your application as staff will be focusing on processing applications. Thank you for your co-operation.To be eligible for this payment a person must be confined to their home or a medical facility.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>

Workers who are diagnosed with COVID-19 - How to apply for illness benefit

Short-time Work Support is a form of Jobseeker’s Benefit and is an income support payment if you have been temporarily placed on a shorter working week.The payment is made in respect of your regular salary for the days that you are no longer working. For example, If your working week has been reduced from a 5 day work pattern to a 3 day work pattern, you can receive support for the other 2 days.Short-time Work Support is paid for a maximum of 234 days. Your entitlement will depend on the number of social insurance contributions you have.To qualify for Short-time Work Support, you must satisfy the <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/service/1221b0-jobseekers-benefit/">two main PRSI Conditions</a> for Jobseeker&#39;s BenefitEmployees must work 3 days per week or less to qualify, having previously been employed on a full time basis.How to qualifyTo qualify for Short-time Work Support, you must be:<ul><li>temporarily working a standard reduced weekly work pattern</li><li>working 3 days or less per week having previously worked full-time</li><li>be under 66 years of age</li><li>be capable of work and be available for full-time work</li><li>have enough paid or credited social insurance (PRSI) contributions at class A, H, S or P</li></ul><h2>Rates of Payment</h2>Your rate of payment will depend on your average weekly earnings in the governing contribution year and the change in your work pattern. For example, if you are placed on a 3 day work pattern having previously worked 5 days, you may be entitled to up €81.20 for the 2 days you are no longer working. This represents two fifths of the maximum weekly rate of Jobseekers Benefit of €203.You may also get an increased rate of payment for a qualified adult and qualified children.Short-time Work Support is not taxable.<h2>Apply</h2>The quickest way to apply for Jobseeker’s Benefit is through<a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7acab8-mywelfare/"> MyWelfare.ie</a>You must have a verified <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/4bcfc9-mygovid/">MyGovID </a>to use this service. If you complete your form on-line, you can then send on the UP14 form completed by your employer.Employees can also apply for Short-time Work Support at their <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/service/40cf48-find-your-local-intreo-office/">Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office</a>You should apply as soon as your days have been reduced otherwise you could lose some payment.To apply, you will need the following documents along with the application form:<ul><li>identification – your public service card, passport or driving licence</li><li>proof of your address – a utility bill or letter from a government department</li></ul><h3>Application Form: Jobseeker&#39;s Allowance or Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit (UP1) - <a href="https://assets.gov.ie/30629/aa07a0596510483e984e52c0a1826100.pdf">Download here</a></h3>Your employer must also complete the form below

Short Time Work Support Form (UP14)
 - <a href="https://assets.gov.ie/70563/627e3a4b125e4990bf02f385e1b7e357.pdf">Download Here</a>You must inform us of the days of employment and unemployment for each week you are on a reduced working pattern.
Further information can be found in our Short Term Working Booklet below.Short Term Working Booklet
Information booklet on Short-time Work Support (available under Jobseekers Benefit Scheme)
<a href="https://assets.gov.ie/71379/e9b8dff1decd4d5eb54eb2eab5d31d22.pdf"> Download Here</a>.Appeals
You can appeal a decision if you are unhappy with it. You should appeal within 21 days of the decision and you can ask for an oral hearing.

An appeals officer, whose decision is final, will then decide your case. Some cases can be decided without an oral hearing.

If new information comes to light or your circumstances change, you can apply for Short term Work Support scheme again.

Operational Guidelines
Operational guidelines describe the processes and procedures that staff in the department follow when carrying out their work.
<a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e95f88-operational-guidelines-jobseekers-benefit/">
Operational Guidelines: Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit
</a><a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/eb1410-operational-guidelines-payment-related-issues/">Operational Guidelines: Payment-related issues</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>

Short-time Work Support Payment if you're working week has been cut

12/03/2020 An Post has just announced special arrangements for post office customers in receipt of payments from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP). 

In the event of a customer not being able to collect their DEASP payment personally at the Post Office a nominated person (Temporary Agent) can be nominated to collect the payment on their behalf. 

When collecting a payment, a ‘Temporary Agent’ must produce the recipient&#39;s card as issued by the DEASP as well as their own valid photo I.D. e.g current Passport, Driving Licence or Public Service Card.

To become a Temporary Agent, the recipient must complete the required form which is available from the Post Office.

Post offices throughout the country continue to operate as normal. We are carefully monitoring the situation regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Business Continuity Plans are in place and we are working closely with the HSE Expert team, the Health Threats Coordination Group and international postal organisations. See anpost.com for further updates.
<a href="https://www.anpost.com/AnPost/media/PDFs/Appointment-of-Temporary-Agent.pdf">
Download appointment of temporary agent application form</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 will allow you to nominate someone to collect your welfare payment 

Section 1: COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
 - Emergency Payment for Employees and the Self Employed.Section 2. Employees: How to apply for Jobseeker&#39;s Payments online - for people losing their jobs or going on Short-Time due to COVID-19. *Must be completed within the next 6 weeks after receipt of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. Section 3. Self Employed: How to apply for Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit (Self-Employed). *Must be completed within the next 6 weeks after receipt of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. Section 4. All other important COVID-19 information for both Employees and Employers.-Section 1: COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment
 - Emergency Payment for Employees and the Self Employed.What COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment isThis new payment will be available to all employees and the self-employed who have lost employment due to a downturn in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The payment has a simple one–page application form and will be paid for a period of 6 weeks at a flat rate payment of €350 per week for jobseekers. It is designed to quickly deliver a social welfare payment to the unemployed and provide income security during this 6-week period.Individuals applying for the payment will be required to apply for the normal jobseeker’s payments within this 6-week period. Once this normal jobseeker claim is subsequently received, the department will process these claims and reconcile payments at that time. This will involve backdating increased payments for certain customers. Minister for Employment Regina Doherty stated:“Ireland has entered unchartered territory as a consequence of the spread of Covid-19. This is now both a public health and economic issue.“In light of the significant volumes of jobseeker applications expected this week, the Department will from tomorrow be introducing a new Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment specifically designed to get thousands of people into payment as quickly as possible.”The new payment that has been put in place will be available to all employees and the self-employed who have lost employment due to a downturn in economic activity caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.The payment will have a simple one – page application form and will be paid for a period of 6 weeks at a flat rate payment of €350 per week.Individuals applying for the payment will be required to apply for the normal jobseeker’s payments within this 6 week period. Once this normal jobseeker claim is subsequently received, the Department will process these claims and reconcile payments at that time. This will involve backdating increased payments for certain customers.How to ApplyThere is no need for to attend your local Intreo Centre but you can apply in the following ways:This guide describes how to apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment - <a href="https://assets.gov.ie/71477/5df3b7f1f0fc454faefd8f906100ff99.pdf">Download here.</a>An application form for the new Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment can be <a href="https://assets.gov.ie/71472/a026043e90cc4d03bdfb1f3a58f3d7af.pdf">downloaded here</a> and returned to us to PO BOX 12896, Dublin 1ORYou can apply for another income support from us through our online portal <a href="https://services.mywelfare.ie/">www.MyWelfare.ie</a> (you will need a Public Services Card)ORPhone us on 1890 800 024 or 01 2481398 and we will send you the relevant application form for the new payment.I am unable to print forms to claim for social welfare payments? Request a Form By Post - This email address is only for application forms. Email: forms@welfare.ieA dedicated Help Line set up for businesses around COVID-19 has also been set up. Call: +353 1 631 2002.Minister Doherty added:“I want to reassure our clients that the Department will process all applications for income support as soon as possible. The new payment will speed this process up and ensure that our customers receive a payment from the Department in as short a time as possible. Payments will issue based on date of application, not date of processing, meaning that all payments will be back dated. We would ask customers to please keep checking your Bank Account as payment may issue in advance of us formally notifying you.”We would ask the members of the public to please assist us over the next few days by applying for income support from the department, such as the full Jobseekers Payment, through our online channel mywelfare.ie. See the below information to get started. <h2>Section 2. Employees: How to apply for Jobseeker&#39;s Payments online - for people losing their jobs or going on Short-Time due to COVID-19.</h2>The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection are experiencing an unprecedented increase in claims and queries across several of the department’s income support schemes, most notably our Jobseeker&#39;s schemes.Combined with measures to apply social distancing, this large increase in claims caused delays in many of our Intreo Centres yesterday, for which we apologise.The department is making every effort to process applications from people losing their jobs or going on Short-Time due to COVID-19. The department has put in place a series of contingencies to deal with the impact of COVID-19 and these include staff working over the weekend, overtime and significant staff numbers being redeployed to priority areas to respond to increases in jobseeker applications. How to apply for Jobseeker&#39;s Payments:In order to respond as quickly as possible to the large increase, the department would point out that there is, in many cases, no need for people to attend an office in person to submit an application.If possible, we would ask people to:Download the application form from our <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/cb3726-jobseekers-payments/">website</a>. This can then be posted or dropped in to your<a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/directory/category/e1f4b5-intreo-offices/?referrer=/en/service/40cf48-find-your-local-intreo-office/"> local Intreo Centre</a> ORApply on our online portal (you will need a Public Services Card) - <a href="https://services.mywelfare.ie/">https://services.mywelfare.ie/</a> <h2>Section 3. Self Employed: How to apply for Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit (Self-Employed)</h2>If you are self-employed and your business has reduced significantly or closed, you can apply for Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit (Self-Employed).What Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit (Self-Employed) isJobseeker&#39;s Benefit (Self-Employed) is a payment for people between 18 and 66 who become fully or partly unemployed and have paid enough pay-related social insurance (PRSI) contributions.Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit (Self-Employed) is paid for nine months or six months depending on the number of social insurance contributions you have.How to qualifyTo qualify for Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit (Self-Employed), you must:<ul><li>be under pension age (which is currently 66)</li><li>satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions</li><li>not be engaged in self-employment</li><li>be capable of working and available for full-time work</li><li>be genuinely seeking work</li><li>prove unemployment in the prescribed manner</li></ul>You can work as an employee for up to 3 days a week and still get Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed) for the other days as long as you are available for full-time work.Social Insurance (PRSI) ContributionsTo qualify for Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit (Self-Employed), you must satisfy two PRSI contribution conditions.Condition 1You must have 156 Class “S” contributions paid or 104 Class “A” contributions paid since entering insurable employment.Condition 2You must have 52 Class “S” contributions paid in the governing contribution year.The governing contribution year is the second last complete tax year before the year in which the claim is made. For example, for claims made in 2019, the governing contribution year is 2017. Jobseekers over 62If you are over the age of 62 and receiving Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed), you do not have to:• Meet with a case officer in your<a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/service/40cf48-find-your-local-intreo-office/"> local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office</a>• Sign on monthlyIn most cases, you can have your payment paid directly to a bank account.Jobseekers over 65If you are 65, or turn 65 while receiving Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit (Self-Employed), and have at least 156 social insurance (PRSI) contribution weeks paid and have 52 PRSI Class “S” contributions paid in the governing contribution year you can continue to receive your payment up to your 66th birthday.This applies even if your claim is due to end before that date.How To Apply For Jobseeker&#39;s Payment (Self-Employed)To apply, please fill in the application form (available below). This can then be posted or dropped in to your <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/service/40cf48-find-your-local-intreo-office/">local Intreo Centre.</a>You should apply as soon as you are no longer self-employed otherwise you could lose some payment.To apply, you will need the following documents, in addition to the application form:• Identification: your Public Services Card (PSC), passport or driving licence• Proof of your address: a recent utility bill or letter from a government departmentYou can apply even if you do not have all of the documents but you cannot get a decision on your application until you have provided all of the documents.Application Form: Please complete in Black Pen using BLOCK LETTERS. Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit (Self-Employed) (UP1 JBSE) - <a href="https://assets.gov.ie/42221/798cc6889e3249bc88103db93d52cb91.pdf">Download Here.</a>AppealsYou can appeal a decision if you are unhappy with it. You should appeal within 21 days of the decision and you can ask for an oral hearing.An appeals officer, whose decision is final, will then decide your case. Some cases can be decided without an oral hearing.If new information comes to light or your circumstances change, you can apply for Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit (Self-Employed) again.Additional information for Self Employed people: Extra benefits:If you are getting Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit (Self-Employed), you may be entitled to:• Rent Supplement - a payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme - <a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html">Details here.</a>• Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance - an allowance to help with the cost of uniforms and footwear for children who are attending school - <a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_to_families_and_children/back_to_school_clothing_and_footwear_allowance.html">Details here.</a>• Medical card - if your income is below a certain level, you may get a medical card - <a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/health/medical_cards_and_gp_visit_cards/medical_card.html">Details here.</a>• You do not qualify for the Household Benefits Package or Free Travel with Jobseeker’s Benefit (Self-Employed).Taxation of Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit (Self-Employed)Jobseeker&#39;s Benefit (Self-Employed) is taxable. <a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/claiming_a_social_welfare_payment/taxation_of_social_welfare_payments.en.html">More info here.</a><h2>Section 4. All other important COVID-19 information for both Employees and Employers.</h2>Here are the latest COVID-19 updates from The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection:<a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/article/govt-announces-national-covid-19-income-support-scheme">• Govt announces National COVID-19 Income Support Scheme</a> - Emergency pandemic payment will increase from €203 to €350. Workers who have lost their jobs due to the crisis will receive an enhanced emergency COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €350 per week (an increase from €203). Get all the details <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/article/govt-announces-national-covid-19-income-support-scheme"></a><a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/article/govt-announces-national-covid-19-income-support-scheme">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">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">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-">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">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">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">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">Here&#39;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">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-">• 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-">• </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">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">Click here for all the details. </a>Wishing you all health and happiness.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>

Employees and Self Employed: How to apply for Jobseeker's Payment

Latest information from the department on COVID-19.The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection are introducing measures to provide income support to people affected by COVID-19 (Coronavirus).3 major changes have been announced:<ul><li>the current 6-day waiting period for Illness Benefit will not apply to anyone who has COVID-19 (Coronavirus) or is in medically-required self-isolation</li><li>the personal rate of Illness Benefit will increase from €203 per week to €305 per week for a maximum of 2 weeks medically-required self-isolation or for the full duration of absence from work following a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 (Coronavirus)</li><li>the normal social insurance requirements for <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/service/ddf6e3-illness-benefit/">Illness Benefit</a> will be changed or the means test for <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/service/36e514-supplementary-welfare-allowance/">Supplementary Welfare Allowance</a> will be removed</li></ul>You can access public health advice about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) at the<a href="https://www.gov.ie/coronavirus/"> government&#39;s information page.</a><a href="https://www.gov.ie/pdf/71251/?page=1">See our quick guide If you are an employee or self-employed and feel you may have COVID-19, or may need to self-isolate as a result of COVID-19</a>Government has now urged all employers to support national public health objectives by continuing, as a minimum, to pay employees who cannot attend work due to Covid-19 illness or self-isolation the difference between the enhanced Illness Benefit rate and their normal wages.This may be achieved through the employer considering a range of flexible working arrangements with their employees such as:<ul><li>compassionate leave</li><li>allowing the employee to work remotely</li><li>allowing the staff member to ‘work-up’ any time taken at a future date</li><li>allowing the employee to avail of annual leave entitlements</li><li>rearranging parental leave</li></ul>A number of income supports are available from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection for people whose employers do not continue to pay them during a COVID-19 (Coronavirus) related absence or temporary lay-off from work.In considering how to respond to questions arising as a consequence of Covid-19 employers and employees are directed in the first instance to the public health advice issued by the HSE, available on their website <a href="https://www.hse.ie/eng/">www.HSE.ie</a>. It is essential that all individuals and employers abide by this advice.<a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/aa51ba-who-the-enhanced-arrangements-are-intended-to-serve/">Who the enhanced arrangements are intended to support (COVID-19).</a><a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/11a04c-availability-of-the-enhanced-payment/">Availability of the enhanced payment (COVID-19).</a><a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6f81e1-people-who-are-diagnosed-with-covid-19/">Workers who are diagnosed with COVID-19.</a><a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b8135c-people-who-are-not-diagnosed-with-covid-19-but-who-self-isolate/">Workers who are not diagnosed with COVID-19 but who self-isolate.</a><a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a503ee-people-whose-employers-do-not-supplementtop-up-the-state-illness-ben/">Workers whose employers do not supplement/top-up the State Illness Benefit payment (COVID-19).</a><a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/fc829c-people-who-are-requested-to-stay-at-home-by-their-employer/">Workers who are requested to stay at home by their employer (COVID-19).</a><a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/00964f-people-who-are-laid-off-temporarily-or-put-on-to-short-time-working/">Workers who are laid off temporarily or put on to short time working (COVID-19).</a><a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/dffde6-people-who-need-to-take-time-off-work-to-care-for-a-person-affected-/">Workers who need to take time off work to care for a person affected by COVID-19 (Coronavirus).</a><a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/1c3354-people-already-in-receipt-of-social-welfare-payments/">People already in receipt of Social Welfare Payments (COVID-19).</a><a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/service/df55ae-how-to-apply-for-illness-benefit-for-covid-19-absences/">How to apply for Illness Benefit for COVID-19 absences</a><h2><a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/service/df55ae-how-to-apply-for-illness-benefit-for-covid-19-absences/"></a>Further information on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)</h2>The department is committed to providing information and updates as the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation evolves. We recommend that you check this page and our <a href="https://twitter.com/welfare_ie">Twitter page </a>for regular updates.Employment rights information is available from the <a href="https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/">Workplace Relations Commission.</a><img src="https://jobalert-blog-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/image/Untitled-4.jpg222.jpg" alt="undefined"></img>Source: <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/99104a-covid-19-coronavirus/">gov.ie</a>Related Reading:<a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/package-of-supports-for-businesses-impacted-by-covid-19">Package of supports for businesses impacted by COVID-19</a><a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/article/covid-19-sick-pay-support-for-small-business-owners">Covid-19 Sick Pay &amp; Support for Small Business Owners</a><a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/coronavirus-vaccine-volunteers-offered-3-500-to-be-infected-with-">Coronavirus vaccine: Volunteers offered £3,500 to be infected with the bug</a><a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/coronavirus-vaccine-volunteers-offered-3-500-to-be-infected-with-"></a>

Short term work support available to those affected by COV-19 restrictions

The Government acknowledges that it&#39;s a worrying time for businesses and wants to provide assurance that help and support will be available through this rapidly evolving situation.

The range of supports include;<ul><li>A €200m Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) Working Capital scheme for eligible businesses impacted by COVID-19. Loans of up to €1.5m will be available at reduced rates, with up to the first €500,000 unsecured. Applications can be made through the SBCI website.</li><li>A €200m Package for Enterprise Supports including a Rescue and Restructuring Scheme available through Enterprise Ireland for vulnerable but viable firms that need to restructure or transform their business. </li><li>The maximum loan available from MicroFinance Ireland will be increased from €25,000 to €50,000 as an immediate measure to specifically deal with exceptional circumstances that micro-enterprises – (sole traders and firms with up to 9 employees) - are facing. Applications can be made through the MFI website or through your local LEO.</li><li>The Credit Guarantee Scheme will be available to COVID-19 impacted firms through the Pillar Banks. Loans of up to €1m will be available at terms of up to 7 years. </li></ul>The following supports are for firms experiencing trading difficulties and short-term shocks:<ul><li>The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation will provide a joint First Responder support service through the Intreo Offices and development agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland in each region to provide tailored supports for impacted firms, with objective of avoiding mass lay-offs and buying time for firms to work through the short-term disruptions.</li><li>Firms that need to reduce hours or days worked can avail of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Short Term Work Support by contacting their local Intreo Office, see gov.ie/en/service/c20e1b-short-time-work-support.</li><li>The full range of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Local Enterprise Office and Údarás na Gaeltachta grant supports will be available to firms to help with strategies to innovate, diversify markets and supply chains and to improve competitiveness. </li></ul>A Finance in Focus grant of €7,200 will be available to Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta clients that want to access consultancy support to undertake immediate finance reviews.In addition, Local Enterprise Offices in every county will be providing vouchers from €2,500 up to €10,000 (with 50:50 match funding) to support business continuity preparedness, innovation and productivity. I encourage businesses to take advantage of these supports.”The Minister also welcomed the package of reforms for sick pay, illness benefit and supplementary benefit that is designed to ensure that employees and the self-employed can abide by medical advice to self-isolate where appropriate.To be eligible for the SBCI COVID19 Working Capital Scheme, businesses must satisfy one of the COVID 19 criteria and one of the innovation criteria set out for the scheme. There is a broad suite of innovation criteria and this offers a wide range of opportunity for businesses to engage in the scheme. Guidelines will be provided on the SBCI website to help businesses determine if they are eligible for the scheme.The Department through its development agencies will continue to provide information support and to business on Continuity Planning Checklist, which includes a practical checklist as well as links to relevant COVID-19 advice developed in conjunction with the HSE and Department of Health.Enterprise Ireland will provide an online portal of advice and business continuity tools and webinars for business.Enterprise Ireland with the Local Enterprise Offices will activate advisory clinics and mentoring support for impacted firms.DEASP and the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) are coordinating information for employees and employers on their rights and responsibilities in the case of employees being absent from work due to isolation and/or infection.Minister Humphreys is engaging with business representative bodies through the Enterprise Forum on COVID-19, which met today.The Department is leading across government and with key stakeholders to ensure continuity of food supply and Minister Humphreys is chairing a forum of large retail multiples, retail representative bodies and grocery distributors and food manufacturers.The Department is working with the European Commission on additional changes to State Aid de minimis rules that may be required to ensure the enterprise development agencies can respond effectively.Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI)The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) plays a key role in implementing the Government’s policies of stimulating the productive capacity of the economy and creating an environment which supports job creation and maintenance. The Department has lead responsibility for Irish policy on global trade and inward investment and a remit to promote fair competition in the marketplace, protect consumers and safeguard workers.In the meantime if you need support or help finding temporary or replacement staff please call JobAlert.ie on 01 8495003 we will help you in whatever way we can.More information available: <a href="https://dbei.gov.ie/en/News-And-Events/Department-News/2020/March/10032020.html">https://dbei.gov.ie/en/News-And-Events/Department-News/2020/March/10032020.html</a>

Package of supports for businesses impacted by COVID-19

BREAKING NEWS! Covid-19 Sick Pay &amp; Support for Small Business Owners in Ireland!

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has just announced emergency legislation to cover Covid-19 issues; These include; Emergency sick pay, if needed for people who have to quarantine for 2 weeks if showing symptoms. 

 They will waive the normal conditions that apply i.e. so it will be paid immediately when required. The amount paid will be raised to €305 a week + an additional amount for dependents. Self-employed people will also be eligible.

A fund will also be approved to support small businesses that are affected by Covid-19 issues - this will come from a fund that was set aside for Brexit issues.
Some €430m in extra funds has been agreed for the HSE while two tranches of €200m will be transferred across from Brexit emergency funds to fight the virus and help businesses.A total package €3bn is being set aside, Mr Varadkar said, as he also said the government had the capacity to borrow.
More to be announced.Yesterday it was reported that;The issue of sick pay for workers affected by Covid-19 would be discussed today when the Cabinet Sub-Committee chaired by the Taoiseach convened. On Friday, government officials met representatives of employers and unions to discuss possible mechanisms to ensure income support for workers who either contract the virus or are forced the self-isolate for up to 14 days on a precautionary basis.It is feared that workers who do not have contractual sick pay entitlements and who cannot afford loss of income will refuse to take time off, and will risk spreading the virus by presenting for work while ill or infected. Following Friday&#39;s consultation no further follow-up meetings with those bodies took place over the weekend, but the issue has been described as a &quot;key priority&quot;.According to one source who attended Friday&#39;s meeting, there was general consensus that the first priority was to make sure employees got paid.The source said the second key issue was how to facilitate, while the third was how to afford it. Another complicating factor mentioned by several sources is that some possible mechanisms to permit financial transfers to workers could require legislation in order to enable them - and that would be difficult and slow particularly given the current lack of a government.The Cabinet Sub-Committee is also expected to receive a comprehensive briefing on &quot;necessary public health responses&quot; as well as advice on &quot;mitigations and contingencies&quot; for various sectors. Related reading: <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/coronavirus-vaccine-volunteers-offered-3-500-to-be-infected-with-">Coronavirus vaccine: Volunteers offered £3,500 to be infected with the bug
</a>

Covid-19 Sick Pay & Support for Small Business Owners

London coronavirus: The East London lab where volunteers will be infected with virus to find a vaccine.They&#39;ll reportedly be paid £3,500 for the risk.Brave volunteers can now sign up to take part in a clinical trial where they&#39;ll be infected with a strain of coronavirus in a global effort to find a vaccine.According to reports, they&#39;ll get paid £3,500 to spend two weeks in quarantine, which might sound tempting at first, but they won&#39;t be allowed physical contact with the outside world.The unit, based in East London, will test up to 24 people at a time with the aim to find a vaccine by next winter, to help protect the elderly and those with underlying health problems in &#39;flu season&#39;.Volunteers will be kept in a unit at Queen Mary BioEnterprises Innovation Centre in Whitechapel after being infected with two common strains of coronavirus, 0C43 and 229E, which cause only a mild respiratory illness. These are different to the Covid-19 coronavirus which is currently sweeping the world.The idea is to allow researchers and pharmaceuticals firms to test the efficacy of new viruses and antiviral medications in a safe environment.The guinea pigs will feel the symptoms of a cough or a cold, which would model those of Covid-19, and it&#39;s thought that any treatment used against these viruses successfully could work in the real world too. Before being selected volunteers will be quizzed on their medical history and undergo blood, urine and cardiac tests. Participants will visit the lab to be inoculated two weeks before going into isolation for 14 days.Nurses and doctors will enter the room for regular nasal swabs, blood tests and to collect any dirty tissues (which are later weighed to measure their “viral load”) and will be required to wear protective clothing and ventilators. During those two weeks, participants will be unable to exercise or have any physical contact with other people - even the food they eat will be tightly controlled.The most effective drugs and new or existing vaccines will then be fast-tracked into real-world testing against Covid-19.Those interested in joining the global fight can find out more on this website <a href="https://flucamp.com/">FluCamp.com.</a>

Coronavirus vaccine: Volunteers offered £3,500 to be infected with the bug

McDonald&#39;s employee with Down Syndrome retires after serving smiles and fries for 32 years
For 32 years, he spread smiles and joy to customers at a McDonald&#39;s outlet and his retirement at the age of 50 marked the end of an era for his community.Among society&#39;s many misconceptions about people born with Down Syndrome, the most prominent one is the belief that such individuals are unable to lead a fulfilling independent life. Thankfully, things are a lot better today with many setting the record straight on just how much they can achieve on their own. As with everything that challenges widespread beliefs, this wouldn&#39;t have been possible without the pioneers who broke through the glass ceiling at a time when everyone told them it wasn&#39;t possible. Russell O&#39; Grady is one such pioneer who, with his determination to strike out on his own, became an inspiration to all.For 32 years, Russell spread smiles and joy to customers at a McDonald&#39;s outlet in Sydney, Australia. Born with Down Syndrome, he first donned the chain&#39;s uniform in 1986 as a zealous 18-year-old looking to rack up work experience. According to a report by the Independent, Russell came across the opportunity through Jobsupport — an Australian government initiative to help those with intellectual difficulties find paid jobs. His employers at the restaurant at Northmead, Greater Western Sydney, were so impressed by his commitment and work ethic that they soon offered him a permanent role at the establishment.Russell went on to spend a little over three decades at the restaurant, packing party boxes, cleaning, and serving customers, becoming one of the most iconic people at the outlet next to Ronald McDonald. Such was his presence the establishment that many would frequent the branch just to meet him. According to Daily Mail, he&#39;s even been dubbed the &quot;best-known person in Northmead.&quot; Last December marked the end of an era as Russell hung up his uniform and officially retired from his post.&quot;We&#39;ve got regular customers who come in to see Russell on Thursday and Friday, and the staff look after him, so we&#39;re going to miss him,&quot; said McDonald&#39;s supervisor Courtney Purcell. In an email to CTV News, the assistant manager of JobSupport, Wynn Visser said that Russell&#39;s impact on his community has been exceptional. &quot;Everybody knows him and they really love him because he always stops to shake hands and say &#39;Hi&#39; to everyone he knows. He has only told me he will miss seeing his friends at work (who are mainly young girls who make a fuss of him), his boss and all the people who call in to see him,&quot; she said.Visser revealed that the 50-year-old&#39;s decision to retire was mainly due to concerns regarding health concerns that come with his age. &quot;As his family, our objective is to find him new activities to keep him both healthy and active in his community,&quot; she said. Russell plans to spend his retirement socializing with friends at the gym, having dog therapy, and indulging in his favorite hobby of ten-pin bowling at the Northmead Bowling Club. &quot;Russell’s tenure is truly remarkable,&quot; Visser added.
Russell&#39;s brother Lindsey said that their family is incredibly proud of him for his dedication to work. &quot;He&#39;s kind of blase about it but loves his work very much. He&#39;s pretty cheeky sometimes. He&#39;s my big brother and he keeps me in line,&quot; he said. The iconic McDonald&#39;s employee&#39;s father Geoff O&#39;Grady previously revealed that his son would often get stopped for handshakes by people on the street. &quot;He&#39;s very affectionate, dearly loved and appreciated, to such an extent that we just don&#39;t believe it,&quot; he said. Mr. O&#39;Grady also stated that having a job changed Russell&#39;s outlook on life. &quot;Somebody said to him &#39;are you handicapped?&#39; and his answer was &#39;I used to be when I went to school, but now I work at McDonald&#39;s.&#39;&quot;

McDonald's employee with Down Syndrome retires after 32 years

The upcoming Jobs Fair will see top local employers with a range of jobs on offer available to meet with and talk to job seekers about the vacancies they have on offer and what they are looking for in potential candidates, as well as how to apply.The event runs on Thursday 5th March from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Temperance Hall, Longford.This event is run as part of Local Enterprise Week and Jobs Week and is hosted by Longford Local Enterprise Office in association with Longford INTREO.<a href="https://bit.ly/2wSu36Y">Register for the jobs fair here.</a><a href="https://bit.ly/2wSu36Y"></a>We look forward to seeing you there!

Register today for the Longford Jobs Fair - Thursday 5th of March 2020

Finland is considering a four-day week. Is this the secret of happiness?
Reduced working hours, as suggested by the new Finnish PM, can boost productivity and cut carbon emissions. Here’s the evidence behind the idea.Finland’s new prime minister, 34-year-old Sanna Marin, has floated the idea of a four-day week. It sounds quite glorious, doesn’t it? However, critics of reduced working hours, think the idea is bonkers. Are they right? The evidence says not.Reducing the length of the working week boosts productivity. When, in August, Microsoft Japan tested a four-day week, productivity work shot up by about 40%. One Melbourne organisation found a six-hour working day forced employees to eliminate unproductive activities such as sending pointless emails, sitting in lengthy meetings and cyberloafing (messing around on the internet). British businesses that have successfully switched to a four-day week include Elektra Lighting, Think Productive and Portcullis Legals.A survey by the TUC found 45% of employees want a four-day week. According to a study by Henley Business School, 77% of workers said a four-day week improved their quality of life. When the city of Gothenberg in Sweden introduced a six-hour day for some nurses, the nurses became healthier, happier and more energetic.Reducing working hours is also good for the natural environment. According to some analyses, a shorter working week could also lead to a significant cut in our carbon footprint as employees produce less carbon emissions getting to work, use fewer resources at work and have more time to cook and shop instead of relying on takeaway food delivered in plastic containers.Although a shorter working week has many benefits, it is not a magic solution. The Wellcome Trust backtracked on plans for a four-day week, saying it would be “too operationally complex”. Gothenberg dropped its six-hour-day experiment because of increased costs. Bosses worry a shorter working week will create staffing challenges and make it harder to serve customers, while employees worry that working less will make them look lazy. These challenges are not insurmountable. Indeed, reduced working days are nothing new. Since the industrial revolution, the number of hours worked has been falling. When working hours in Britain were cut from about 54 hours a week to 48 hours a week in 1919, it had no effect on productivity and competitiveness. Kellogg’s, the US cereal manufacturer, successfully operated a six-hour working-day policy for many years in the middle of the 20th century. It was only dropped because management wanted the firm to have work practices like other companies. It is entirely possible to be happier and more productive and environmentally friendly at work. It might sound too good to be true, but it could be the norm in a few years.

Finnish PM calls for 4-day-week and 6-hours working day

The minimum wage will rise by 30 cents to €10.10 an hour in a move that should benefit around 127,000 workers, the Government announced today.
The rise from the current rate of €9.80 for adult workers will be introduced on February 1. It will give Ireland the second-highest minimum wage rate in the European Union, edging narrowly ahead of France and behind only Luxembourg’s rate of €11.97.
The minister for employment affairs, Regina Doherty, said the Government was able to make the move because of “the strong growth in earnings across the economy over the last year and thanks to greater clarity in the UK regarding their plans for Brexit”.
The Government had accepted the Low Pay Commission’s recommendation for a 30 cent rise in October but postponed any move at the time citing the risk of a crash-out Brexit.
Minister Doherty said the February increase would mean that a minimum wage worker on a 39-hour work week would earn an extra €11.70 weekly or €608.40 per year.
She noted that the minimum wage had increased by 13.2pc since 2015.
“All types of work should pay well and it is my determination that a job should really lift people out of poverty,” she said. “The ongoing increases in the minimum wage help to ensure that happens.”
The Government said it also would raise the threshold for employers’ liability to pay PRSI from the current rate of €386 to €395 on February 1 to ensure that they do not face “a higher level of PRSI charge solely due to this increase”.Source: <a href="https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/minimum-wage-to-rise-to-1010-an-hour-in-february-second-highest-in-eu-38799338.html">Independent.ie</a>

Minimum wage will increase to €10.10 from February 

Work Permit Changes  - Hospitality, Construction, Health and Haulage  Jobs

Zoefia May Woods

Working Lone Parents on One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment can earn an extra €15 per week, up to €165, and keep their full paymentMinister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty has announced that the Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill 2019 has been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas today (Tuesday, 17 December), and will now be presented to the President for signing.Today’s final stage in the Seanad paves the way for the introduction of the Budget increases of €171 million next year for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, which will have a total budget of €21.2 billion in 2020.The Bill, when enacted, will provide for increases for people most at risk of poverty and is focused on improving the economic and social wellbeing of children and families through a range of targeted and enhanced supports.Marking the passage of the Bill, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, T.D. said:“This legislation reflects the Government’s commitment to funding and making adjustments to those elements of the social welfare code that can deliver the greatest impact in terms of alleviating poverty for those groups most at risk.I am particularly pleased to build on the foundations of recent years by continuing to provide for a better deal for families, particularly those on low fixed incomes.”Key features in the Bill, passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, include:• Increased weekly payments for each qualified dependent child - €2 for children under 12, and €3 for children aged 12 and over• The Living Alone Allowance will increase by €5 per week, benefitting over 200,000 vulnerable people• An extra €2 in the weekly Fuel Allowance payment, benefitting some 370,000 households• Working Lone Parents on One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment can earn an extra €15 per week, up to €165, and keep their full payment.Link to Government Press Office <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/news/a8348c-social-welfare-bill-passes-all-stages-of-oireachtas-following-approv/">CLICK HERE</a>