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Airbnb are giving remaining Employees options that allow them to temporarily relocate and also flexibility to those who can&#39;t work right now, if they&#39;re caring for a family member due to illness or closure of a care facility etc......the move comes after nearly 1,900 employees from a global workforce of over 7,500 were made redundant back in May. 190 staff in Dublin were impacted by the redundancies at its European headquarters in Grand Canal Docks as a result of the massive decline in its online bookings due to the Covid-19 pandemic.At the start of the pandemic, Airbnb like many other businesses closed their offices immediately to protect the health and safety of their employees around the world. The extension to work remotely through to the end of August 2021 was rolled out to remaining staff. They said they are offering the remote working extension to give employees the ability to plan further ahead and make the choices they need around school calendars, being closer to family, caring for vulnerable family members, and other personal decisions. Co-Founder and CEO Brian Chesky, said in his statement last month that the company had been “hit hard” by the sudden downturn in business, with revenue this year forecasted to be less than half of what was made in 2019.He said “We are collectively living through the most harrowing crisis of our lifetime, and as it began to unfold, global travel came to a standstill.” The company raised $2 billion (about €1.8 billion) in capital and “dramatically cut costs” in response to the crisis. With such a difficult situation on his hands Chesky sent a transparent and vulnerable message outlining key protections for affected workers as the redundancies were announced. In the letter he said “For a company like us whose mission is centered around belonging, this is incredibly difficult to confront, and it will be even harder for those who have to leave Airbnb,” he went on to reveal exactly how and why the tough decision was made—which can give workers closure—and laid out the many ways the company was going to help those who’ve been terminated.Among those plans:<ul><li>Every US ex-employee will receive a generous severance of 14 weeks’ base pay, plus an additional week’s salary for every year the staffer has been at the company. Many companies give just a week or two per every year worked with no cushion.</li><li>Every departing US employee, even if they haven’t worked the previous minimum of one year, will have equity in the company.</li><li>The company will cover COBRA costs for 12 months, so every US ex-employee keeps their health insurance for another full year.</li><li>Much of the internal recruiting team will be redirected to help secure new external roles for former workers.</li><li>Terminated staffers can keep their company-issued laptops because “a computer is an important tool to find new work.”</li></ul>Besides those truly supportive actions, Brian shared poignant final words to those who were let go:“I am truly sorry. Please know this is not your fault. The world will never stop seeking the qualities and talents that you brought to Airbnb…that helped make Airbnb. I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for sharing them with us.” <a href="https://news.airbnb.com/work-from-anywhere-how-airbnb-guests-are-approaching-remote-working/">Source</a>

Temporary relocation and flexible options allowed for Airbnb Employees

Hickeys, one of the largest pharmacy chains in the Republic of Ireland who opened its first outlet in the Northside Shopping Centre in Dublin in 1995 are set to be taken over by Uniphar. Uniphar already operates 229 pharmacies across the country under the Allcare and Life brands and 36 Hickey&#39;s pharmacies will bring that number to 335.The company&#39;s revenue rose by 8.8 per cent in the first half of 2020, bringing it to €871.3 million. Pre-tax profit was also 9 per cent higher (€16.4 million).“We have delivered a strong set of results for H1 2020 in a difficult operating environment, achieving gross profit growth across all our divisions and 5 per cent organic gross profit growth at a group level, while maintaining a strong liquidity and net cash position at the end of the period,” said chief executive Ger Rabbitte. “Our investment in digital solutions combined with diversity in our product and services lines has helped mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on our business and positions us well into the future.”Hickeys which has outlets in Dublin, Cork, Meath, Louth, Kildare and Wexford will continue to trade under the Hickeys brand if the Uniphar deal is completed. The group recorded revenues of €27.2 million for the year ending February 28th, 2019, this included a profit of €2.4 million.Hickeys are currently hiring Pharmacy Healthcare Advisors, Support Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Store Manager and Relief Workers.Dublin;Support Pharmacist – O’Connell StreetSupervising Pharmacist, Henry Street, Dublin City CentrePharmacy Healthcare Advisor - CappaghPharmacy Healthcare Advisor – PhibsboroPharmacy Technician - PhibsboroSupport Pharmacist, OngarPharmacy Technician - OngarPharmacy Healthcare Advisor - NeilstownPharmacy Healthcare Advisor - TyrrelstownRelief Pharmacist – South Dublin Kildare:Pharmacy Healthcare Advisor - Maynooth Meath:Pharmacy Technician - NavanPharmacy Store Manager - Navan Shopping CentrePharmacy Healthcare Advisor - Johnstown, Co. Meath For more information on all these roles <a href="https://www.hickeyspharmacies.ie/current-vacancies/">CLICK HERE </a>

Hickeys pharmacy chain set to be taken over by Uniphar.  

Info on Calculated Grades & 1,250 additional college places announced

Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation  : 31 August 2020The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, today announced that €15 million is being made available to reopen the COVID-19 Loan Fund.Speaking today the Tánaiste said:<blockquote>&quot;We’re looking at all the ways we can support enterprise during this really difficult time. This extra money will allow Microfinance Ireland reopen the COVID-19 Loan Fund. This Fund has proven to be a lifeline for micro-enterprises over the past few months, where we’ve seen nearly 700 businesses with fewer than ten employees avail of it. We’ve set out a really significant financial package in the July Stimulus and this loan scheme is another way we’re helping businesses to re-open, stay afloat or expand.&quot;</blockquote>The Microfinance Ireland COVID-19 Loan scheme assists businesses with fewer than ten employees, which have been impacted negatively by COVID-19. It provides much-needed funding to help microenterprises meet payments for stock, working capital requirements and other overhead expenses through the provision of low-cost lending facilities, which include a six-month repayment free moratorium and the equivalent of one year interest free (subject to terms and conditions) with rates as low as 4.5% for the remaining period of the loan.The Tánaiste recently introduced the Microenterprise Loan Fund (Amendment) Bill to provide for the increased funding.The COVID-19 Loan scheme has seen a very strong uptake in recent months, with €18.6 million sanctioned to 683 businesses up to 31 July 2020. This represents three years of normal lending volumes for MFI in a period of just over four months. Importantly, with 79% of MFI’s lending to businesses outside Dublin, MFI provides an essential support for businesses who are hoping to reboot their economic activity over the coming weeks and months in every county in Ireland.Companies interested in applying or finding out more information can contact Microfinance Ireland <a href="https://microfinanceireland.ie/loan-packages-2/covid19/">here</a>. <a href="https://microfinanceireland.ie/loan-packages-2/covid19/"></a>

Tánaiste reopens low cost loan scheme for microenterprises

To parents and guardians of school children in Ireland,I am very aware that many of you are worried about the reopening of schools and the associated risk of COVID-19 for your children. This concern is natural and is to be fully expected after a period of six months during which we have all had to adapt to the challenges posed by COVID-19.The decision to reopen schools has not been taken lightly and has been based on guidance produced by international bodies including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC); scientific evidence regarding the risk of COVID-19 in school children and staff; the experience of other countries that have not closed, or have reopened, their schools; our own experience having reopened childcare settings and summer camps since June; and evidence regarding the importance of school for the overall health and wellbeing of children.International evidence shows us that child-to-child and child-to-adult transmission of COVID-19 in schools is uncommon. In addition, our own experience to date in Ireland, and indeed that reported internationally, demonstrates that for the overwhelming majority of children who are diagnosed with COVID-19, their symptoms will be mild.The importance of schools for the overall health and wellbeing of children cannot be overstated, and the risk of COVID-19 has been carefully weighed against the very real harm that can be caused by sustained school closures. Schools play a fundamental role in the social life of children; they are where children are educated, make friends, share interests, learn social skills like self-confidence and empathy, and participate in sport and cultural activities.Of course, as we continue to navigate our way through this pandemic, there are no zero risk options for reopening schools or indeed any other environment; the aim, therefore, is to reopen in as safe a way as possible by ensuring that all appropriate public health measures such as physical distancing, hand washing and respiratory hygiene are implemented where appropriate.Schools are at the heart of our communities and the best way to protect them is to keep the level of COVID-19 in the community low. As parents and guardians, you can play a key role in this, both through your own actions and through the influence that you have on your family and friends. If all of us continue to make small changes to the way we live, we can - together - starve this virus of opportunities to transmit.While it is okay to send your child to school or childcare if they only have a runny nose or a sneeze, if you have any concerns that your child has symptoms of COVID-19 - fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell – then please keep them at home until you have spoken with your GP by phone. Lots more information is available at <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/a128d-back-to-school/">gov.ie/backtoschool</a> and <a href="https://www.hse.ie/eng/">hse.ie</a>.There will be cases of COVID-19 among children over the coming days and weeks, as there have been throughout this pandemic to date. But when this happens our public health teams in the HSE will respond and liaise closely with the school involved and ensure that all necessary measures are taken to protect other students and school staff.Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all you have done to keep your family and our communities safe over the past seven months. I also want to thank all teachers, principals and school staff who have worked so hard to ensure that our schools are ready to reopen – it is just one more example of the incredible solidarity that has defined the way in which people all across the country have come together to play their part in getting us through this pandemic.Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health.

Gov.ie - Letter to Parents, Guardians of School Children and School Staff

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Work From Home Office Equipment

<h2>Advice from Gov.ie</h2>Multi-Lingual Versions: <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/0cf46-resources-and-materials-for-parentsguardians-and-for-students-on-returning-to-school-multi-lingual/">HERE</a>Most students will be looking forward to going back to school and will feel happy and excited. Some may feel a little anxious about returning. That’s a normal response at a time of change. Most will settle back in soon once they get used to the new rules and routines. Remind them of the positive aspects of returning – like re-connecting with friends and re-engaging with school activities.New rules and routines to follow to keep everyone safe: Good handwashing and hygiene practice is important for all students.  Make sure your child knows to use a tissue to cover coughs or sneezes or to cough or sneeze into their elbow. In senior primary classes and at post-primary – physical distancing procedures will need to be followed by all.  Primary school – younger children may not be required to practice physical distancing, but they may be organised into pods. There may also be new rules about drop off and pick up. Staff in all schools, and post-primary students, should wear a face covering where a physical distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained.Encourage your child to walk or cycle to school if possible and safe to do so. Teachers understand that it hasn’t been easy for young people to study at home during school closures. School transport – students will have an assigned seat and post-primary students will be required to wear a face covering when waiting for and when on-board the bus. Schools will communicate directly with families about reopening. Talk together at home about what to expect when going back to school to prepare your children. Having healthy routines in place will help with the adjustment of returning to school. Encourage your child to gradually return to a school term bedtime routine. Help your child to eat healthily, take exercise and reconnect with friends. Students who have Covid-19 symptoms, including a fever, a cough, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties, or loss or change to their sense of smell or taste should not attend school. Please follow guidance on HSE.ie on self-isolation and phone your doctor. Make sure students know that if they feel unwell in school they should tell their teacher straight away. Official Gov link <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2d3af-advice-during-covid-19-back-to-school-advice-for-parents/">HERE</a>

Back to School Advice during COVID-19 for Parents - (Multi-lingual)  

Notice for 3rd Level Students:A number of weeks ago, the Government provided €15 million to purchase laptops and ipads to help with remote learning and to bridge the digital divide.The Department of Higher Education has ordered almost 17,000 Dell laptops which will now be distributed across our universities, our Institutes of Technology, our ETB’s and a number of Solas funded colleges also.Anyone who needs a laptop and feels they fall into the criteria of disadvantaged student should apply to their college to the Student Services office and they will process your application.

Students to get laptops as part of €168m Covid-19 college fund

Sample Script 2Start off positively: “I’d like to discuss my compensation. I have been really enjoying my work.”Detail recent accomplishments, and your plan for the future: “The opportunity to train in our new recruits on the current process improvement project has really got me fired up for what we can achieve over the next 6 months! Just in the last 3 weeks we managed to implement the website FAQ section. I’m so excited to continue exceeding our targets.”Now pop the question: “But one thing I’d like to discuss with you is my compensation, and from my research it seems that I am underpaid. I pulled from a number of different resources that someone with my level of experience in the role I’m currently in, should actually be paid between €45,000 - €50,000 per year. Like I said I’m really enjoying working here and I’m very much looking forward to the future, but we need to make some sort of adjustment so there is a fair number for both of us here.” Sample Script 2Start off positively: Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. Detail recent accomplishments, and your plan for the future: In my current role, I’m excited to keep working towards key company goals and grow my personal responsibilities. As a result, I’d like to discuss my salary.
Now pop the question: Based on the research I’ve done, which includes looking at averages for my job title in this metro area and considers my tenure here, my years of experience and skill set, a salary increase of X% is appropriate.
 In the time since my last salary adjustment, I’ve worked on several initiatives that have added significant value to the company. For instance, in the last few months, I [insert example your most impressive accomplishment]. These achievements have made me ready for a raise.

Asking for a salary increase - resources

Galway City Council is looking for expressions of interest for the former Tourist Office. Salthill has a long and distinguished history as a leading tourism destination along the Wild Atlantic Way. This is a great opportunity for the right occupier to provide a positive impact for Salthill through the re-imagination of this site. Any proposal should benefit Salthill, the community on the West of the City and have a positive impact on the overall economic, tourism and community benefit of Galway.The property comprises of a parcel of land measuring approximately 0.13 hectares facing directly onto the Salthill Promenade and Galway Bay. It also has access off Quincenntennial Drive and is adjacent to the Seapoint Complex and Galway Atlantaquarium. The site enjoys superb views over Galway Bay and is located next to Toft public car park and is well served by public transport.This site has a building that was once a local Tourist Information Office. This modern single storied building is approximately 1915 sq. ft. and occupies a small portion of the site.Land Use Zoning:The site is zoned Recreation and Amenity in the Galway City Development Plan 2017 - 2023. The preferred applicant will be required to submit for planning permission for the project within 12 months of project approvalExpression of Interest:Expressions of Interest must include the following:<ol><li> Proposal - Written submission outlining the proposal and a 5 year business plan(Any expression of interest should indicate how the activity will generate an economic impact in the area)</li><li> Preliminary design for The refurbishment/conversion of the structure or redevelopment of the site (Site to be let in its current condition)</li><li> Previous Experience - Background / CV of the applicant &amp; proposed operator on the site.</li><li> Financial Proposal - Estimates of the cost of the proposed redevelopment and method of funding for the project</li></ol>Expressions of interest are to be received by Galway City Council. For further information on this opportunity and to arrange an appointment to view the current building contact the Economic Development section of Galway City Council.The Expressions of Interest are to be submitted by email to candc@galwaycity.ie to the Economic Development section of Galway City Council on or before 12 noon on 16th November 2020Evaluation Criteria:The following evaluation criteria will be utilised by Galway City Council in assessing expressions of interests received in relation to this site:<ul><li>Compliance with the objectives in the Galway City Development Plan - 20%</li><li>Contribution to tourism and economic development of the area - 20%</li><li>Viability of the Project - 20%</li><li>Previous Experience - 20%</li><li>Funding &amp; Price - 20%</li></ul>The disposal of all lands in the ownership of Galway City Council and the terms of conditions of any such disposal are subject to the formal approval of the elected members of Galway City Council

Expressions of interest in the former tourist office site in Salthill 

<h3>Applications have opened for the newly revamped Enterprise Support Grant, designed to assist the self-employed as they get back on their feet following Covid-19.</h3><h3></h3><h3>The scheme is aimed at sole traders who are not liable for commercial rates.</h3><h3></h3>This grant, worth up to €1,000 per person, is aimed at sole traders such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, taxi drivers etc, who do not pay commercial rates and therefore do not qualify for the Government’s Restart Grant Plus Scheme.The Enterprise Support Grant previously supported entrepreneurs who were setting up new enterprises.But it has now been revamped to specifically provide once-off supports for self-employed people who have been severely impacted and have had to cease operations as a result of the Pandemic. Making the announcement the Minister Humphreys said;<blockquote>“The Enterprise Support Grant is designed to assist the self-employed, who are crucial to our economic recovery, to get back on their feet following the Covid-19 outbreak,” </blockquote><blockquote>“Thousands of sole traders and small business owners right across the country have in recent months been in receipt of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).</blockquote><blockquote>“For many, this was the first time they ever had to apply for State support.</blockquote><blockquote>“The PUP was a vital lifeline for people who, through no fault of their own, found themselves out of work.</blockquote><blockquote>“That’s why I took the decision to extend the payment until April of next year,” she added.</blockquote>The Minister continued:<blockquote>”In the past, the Enterprise Support Grant was designed to assist people in opening a business. Today, I’m opening applications to people who need assistance in getting back on their feet and their businesses back up and running.</blockquote><blockquote>“Whether it’s paying wages, fuel costs, purchasing PPE or signage – this is an important grant to assist the self-employed to reopen their business and get back doing what they do best: Providing crucial and essential services in their communities.</blockquote><blockquote>“So if you’re a plumber, carpenter, beautician, gardener or electrician who is transitioning back to work, or the taxi driver getting your car back on the road – this grant may be of interest to you.”</blockquote>The Department of Social Protection has stated that this Grant will assist those people who transitioned from the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment into self-employment since May 18th, which marked Phase One of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.Once-off funding of up to a maximum €1,000 will be available to assist them with re-opening their business.This grant seeks to support micro self-employed enterprises, not currently eligible for similar grant funding through other Departments.The support is available to small business owners who employ fewer than 10 people, are not liable for commercial rates and have an annual turnover of less than €1 million - providing kick-start funding to those enterprises that do not have an entitlement to other business re-start grants.It will be paid on the basis of expenditure incurred by an applicant to re-open their business covering their costs up to €1,000.Anyone wishing to apply for the grant can download the application form<a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/service/739f3-enterprise-support-grant-for-buisnesses-impacted-by-covid-19/"> HERE</a> on www.welfare.ie and, when completed should be sent to their local Intreo Centre.

Once-off Supports for Sole Traders

Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
From Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection 
Last updated 6 August 2020
1. Important Notice
2. What the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is
3. How to qualify
4. Rates of payment
5. Apply
Important Notice
Payments of Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for 2020 will be made to qualifying customers in the week starting 13 July. Letters will issue to customers confirming their payment by 6 July.
If you do not receive a letter from us by 6 July, you should submit an application online on www.mywelfare.ie. This requires you having a verified MyGovID and details can be found on www.mywelfare.ie of how to verify.
What the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is a means-tested once-off payment aimed at helping families with the extra costs when children start school each autumn.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme is open from 1 June to 30 September each year
How to qualify
To qualify for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, you must meet the following conditions:
<ul><li>
you must be in receipt of a qualifying social protection payment or participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme
</li><li>you must be in receipt of an increase for a qualified child (IQC) in respect of each child for whom the allowance is being claimed (except in certain circumstances)
</li></ul>each child being claimed for must be:
aged between 4 and 17 or

aged between 18 and 22, and returning to second-level education in the autumn

the assessable income for your household must be within a set income limit
you and each child in respect of whom the allowance is claimed must be resident in the State
Rates of payment
Child’s age	Rate
4 – 11	€150
12 – 22	€275
Remember, children between 18 and 22 years old must be in second-level education to qualify.For more information and to apply for the scheme <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/service/41eb8b-back-to-school-clothing-and-footwear-allowance/">click here.</a>

Parents receiving COVID19 payment now eligible for Back to School Allowance

TikTok is to open its first data centre in Europe in a $500 million investment, cementing the company’s determination to remain active outside the United States in the face of a potential ban by President Trump.Bytedance, the Chinese owner of the popular video-sharing app, said that TikTok would build its third data centre, picking Ireland alongside its two existing bases in America and Singapore.TikTok said the move would mean that information on British and European users would be hosted on Irish servers, giving people confidence “that their data is secure and that we are protecting their privacy”. The move highlights TikTok’s efforts to promote its protection of data amid US criticism.The company said it would invest $500 million in the centre in Ireland, the exact location of which is yet to be announced. It has also promised hundreds of new jobs in the centre that will be built within two years.The announcement came as rumours swirl that TikTok will open a new international headquarters in London, after the government said that it would not block such a move.The video-sharing app has found itself at the centre of a spat between the Trump administration and China over how it handles users’ data. The US has said that TikTok’s American services must be acquired by a domestic company or igt will be banned over concerns that it could siphon data to the Chinese government if asked to do so. Bytedance has always strongly denied it would accept such a request.Started only three years ago, TikTok is the first Chinese app to be a global hit, threatening America’s dominance of the digital economy. TikTok has been downloaded more than two billion times and has 100 million US users.Its growth has rattled Facebook, which introduced its second TikTok clone yesterday in an attempt to win over fans. Instagram’s Reels went live in 50 countries, including Britain and India, where TikTok has been banned.TikTok said that the plan to open a new data centre in Ireland had been in the works before Mr Trump suggested he might ban the app in the US.Theo Bertram, TikTok’s director of public policy in Europe, said: “This is an important symbol of our commitment to the long term in Europe and it shows the importance of Ireland for us.”Mr Bertram, a former adviser to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, said that the move would help to allay concerns after a recent decision by the EU’s top court, which ruled that the way in which data is transferred by most companies across the Atlantic does not protect the rights of European citizens.“You can look in Europe and see that there are concerns about data transfer [to the US]. I think one could perceive a gradual movement towards how that might shake out over time and this will give our users more confidence in Europe to know it’s on European servers,” Mr Bertram said.In the US, Microsoft may be near to finalising its plans to take over TikTok’s American business and secure a deal before Mr Trump’s mid-September deadline. The software group and Bytedance hope to strike the deal within three weeks, CNBC reported yesterday.In January, 2020, TikTok announced that that it was establishing a new European base in Dublin with 100 people, however London was set to remain the platform’s second biggest global office, behind Los Angeles.The Dublin office was to become TikTok’s third global ‘trust and safety hub’, after San Francisco and Singapore.To see jobs in Dublin click <a href="https://careers.tiktok.com/position?keywords=&amp;location=CT_37">HERE</a>

TikTok to build $500m digital centre in Ireland creating hundreds of jobs

<h2>The Government has extended the suspension of redundancy provisions relating to temporary lay-offs and short-time work situations until September 17th.</h2>Minister Humphreys outlined that extending the end date further will help prevent redundancies that could occur in the very near future which would burden employers with further debt and have a serious impact on the potential for a business to recover.The further extension until September 17th is necessary to mitigate against the risk of insolvency and bankruptcy situations, further job losses and will contribute to the viability of business.It is important to note that the employee’s right to claim redundancy has not been removed, but deferred for the emergency period in circumstances of temporary lay-off or short-time employment.It is considered that an extension of the end-date is important for employees to ensure that they have a continued link to their job and a pathway to return. Many employers still regard their businesses as being temporarily closed or they are operating well below their capacity, this will be particularly relevant to business that have still not received the go ahead to re-open under current Covid-19 restrictions.Many businesses plan to re-open as soon as it is possible for them to do so. It is only then that they can fully evaluate the situation, hopefully many employees who were temporarily laid-off or who seen their hours cut will be able to return to full employment with their employers. It is hoped at that time that the measures in the Jobs Stimulus package will assist employers manage the recovery of their businesses.This extension follows on from when the suspension of such redundancy provisions that were introduced in March this year when the Covid-19 emergency situation arose.At the time, the extensions were considered necessary to ensure the future viability of businesses and help prevent further permanent job losses. This rationale continues to apply to this latest extension.Current restrictionsWhere restrictions are still having an impact, for example in the pubs, arts and entertainment sectors, Minister Humphreys and the Department of Social Protection want people in those sectors to be able to return to their jobs once restrictions have eased.·   Workers who remain temporarily laid-off are therefore not required to meet the Genuinely Seeking Work requirement for work in other sectors.The focus for the Department will, as always, be on supporting those who have been permanently laid-off and who now need to look for new job opportunities. The Department will support these individuals through a range of measures such as access to education and training courses, work experience opportunities and financial supports to start their own business with the goal of helping these individuals secure employment.According to the Governments’ official publication, it is important to point out that the Redundancy Payment Acts and the Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2020, as passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, are separate pieces of legislation. Section 11 of the Bill is very clear that the work a person is seeking but unable to obtain has regard for being suitable to the education and normal occupation of the jobseeker. Therefore workers temporarily laid-off or artists waiting for venues to reopen will be deemed to meet the Genuinely Seeking Work conditionality if the Bill is signed into law by the President.

Suspension of Redundancies for Temp Lay-Offs & Short-time Workers Extended

<h2>Simon Harris TD Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science needs help to prepare a new Apprenticeship Action Plan for 2021 to 2025</h2> The process of preparing the new Apprenticeship Action Plan 2021 to 2025 is already underway. It will consider all aspects of the current system together with relevant international research to ensure we have an apprenticeship system best placed to respond to long term economic needs and which will be resilient and flexible enough to meet short term challenges. Apprenticeships in Ireland have evolved into a system that provides employment opportunities with integrated education and training programmes at Levels 5 to 10 on the National Qualifications Framework. It involves multiple providers within the further and higher education system working in partnership with a broad range of employers and other stakeholders. The Action Plan will look at new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships. It will advance the development of a consolidated apprenticeship system with a single coherent model of governance, that is appropriate to the system that has evolved, and is inclusive of stakeholders. Such a model will seek to: ·      deliver of the highest standards of industry led, work based training; ·      position apprenticeship as a valued and attractive path to sought after qualifications within the Further and Higher Education system;·      be agile and responsive to changing labour market needs and economic cycles;·      encourage and support increased participation by employers across all sectors of the economy;·      provide for greater adoption of apprenticeship at institutional level and integration with the quality assurance and general learning environment of the Further and Higher education system;·      encourage diversity and support participation by under­represented groups.  The Consultation ProcessA successful apprenticeship system is built on close collaboration, and opportunities for dialogue, across a wide range of stakeholders. These include employers, employees and their respective representative groups, educational providers, career guidance professionals, young people, and their parents. The public bodies responsible for funding, governance and quality assurance of the education and training system have a key role to play. This Consultation Paper is the first step in a comprehensive consultation process to seek the input of stakeholders to the development of the new Action Plan. Submissions received will form the basis for further discussion with stakeholders to develop the actions and timeframes for inclusion in the new Plan. Subject to developments in relation to Covid­-19 this will involve online or face to face meetings and workshops during September and October. Where appropriate, online surveys will also be conducted.The paper is structured as follows: Section 1 describes the current governance and operational framework for apprenticeship. Section 2 outlines the current funding arrangements and considerations in relation to the cost distribution model for apprenticeship for stakeholders. Section 3 looks at participation and diversity in apprenticeship. Section 4 contains a series of questions to help frame responses to the paper. Responses to the consultation paper are requested by Friday 18 September 2020. The Government need your help to find out why, despite the successes of recent years, more learners and employers are not engaging with the system. They need your ideas on how to make apprenticeship more attractive and more accessible to women and people with disabilities. They need to know your views on the substantial changes that have taken place in apprenticeship and on how they can build a strong model for the future.Please help if you can, by reading the Consultation Paper <a href="http://www.apprenticeship.ie/Documents/ApprenticeshipConsultationJULY2020.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0-IPTvCCIGsZ_sW4KerdGp9PBf6Z0hQAgtJEBGGpZ97NC7t2v-4TBQ9Y0">HERE</a> and by providing your input if you have any experience or ideas on this matter. Your input could make a massive difference.

Apprenticeship Action Plans for 2021 to 2025 are underway - Can you help?

They are currently recruiting for;Software Developers, with more vacancies to follow.Smart Metering Systems (“SMS Plc”), which installs and manages smart meters and carbon reduction (“CaRe”) assets, has announced its expansion to Cork after the recent acquisition of energy tech start-up Solo Energy.The disruptive business model of Solo Energy includes the offer of battery storage, microgeneration, and electric vehicle (EV) charger installations at no-upfront cost to homes and businesses, with its goal to lower energy bills for consumers and help make the transition to renewables through establishing a Virtual Power Plant (VPP).This is achieved through the innovative, cloud-based FlexiGridÔ aggregation platform that Solo has developed in-house from its offices in Cork, and Orkney, Scotland. FlexiGridÔ centrally controls the distributed energy assets it installs to balance renewable generation and create efficient, local smart energy systems. The 20 software development and project management roles will be created over the next five years.Killian O’Connor, Operations Director and Co-Founder of Solo Energy, commented:<blockquote>&quot;With the backing of SMS Plc, we are now in a position to continue scaling the business in a sustainable manner while embracing new and exciting opportunities across the energy ecosystem. The 20 jobs created following our acquisition by SMS will also contribute to the fast-expanding renewable energy cluster in Cork and the South West region, and we are thrilled to play our part in growing such an important, innovative sector.&quot;</blockquote>The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, said:<blockquote>&quot;To transition to a greener economy, we will need innovative and disruptive companies to take advantage of the opportunities that will arise in the move to a low carbon future. SMS’s collaboration with Solo Energy will see the creation of 20 new highly skilled jobs in Cork. I wish them well for the future. Companies such as this one will help Ireland achieve our target of dramatically reducing carbon emissions.&quot;</blockquote>Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland said:<blockquote>&quot;Today’s announcement by SMS Plc is in line with IDA Ireland’s strategy to continue to win investment and jobs in regional locations. Solo Energy is an excellent fit with IDA’s growing sustainable energy portfolio and the creation of 20 roles in Cork demonstrates the strong availability of talent in the region. I wish SMS Plc and Solo Energy every success with their expansion and assure them of the continued support of IDA Ireland.&quot;</blockquote>For more information on the roles available at SMS Plc/Solo Energy <a href="https://smsplc.current.jobs/current-vacancies.aspx?page=1&amp;fbclid=IwAR0kAWQJ9QpqNo5SaorkcxvdzTjwwBQahFeVIO4Cpvn0Q6Y_ajHuU3M4kcc">CLICK HERE</a>

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