Staff - Updated
- COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme:
- This scheme allows employers to pay their employees during the current pandemic.
- In phase 1 of the scheme, which is to run from 26 March up until 20 April at the latest, employers will be refunded up to 70% of an employee's net weekly wages – up to a maximum of €410 for employees earning less than or equal to €586 per week net or a maximum of €350 or 70% of the employee’s net weekly wages for those earning between €586 per week net and €960 per week net.
- Phase 2 of the scheme is expected to be in operation by 20 April and further details are expected over the coming days/weeks.
- Employers must self-declare to Revenue that they have experienced significant negative economic disruption due to COVID-19, with a minimum of 25% decline in turnover and an inability to pay normal wages and other outgoings.
- Revenue has published additional guidance in respect of the operation of the scheme by employers and eligibility criteria. For further details please see:
- For more information visit https://www.gov.ie/en/service/578596-covid-19-wage-subsidy/.
- COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment: Employees and the self-employed – For those workers who have been laid off without pay, there is no need to visit an Intreo Centre. The DEASP has introduced a new support payment for the self-employed who have lost business and to employees who have lost employment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. This support pays a flat rate of €350 per week and will be in place for twelve weeks (previously announced as €203 per week for a six-week period). For more information visit https://www.gov.ie/en/service/be74d3-covid-19-pandemic-unemployment-payment/.
- COVID-19 Illness Benefit: Employees that have contracted the COVID-19 virus, or who are required medically to self-isolate, can claim an illness benefit €350 per week (increased from €305 announced previously). It will be paid for up to twelve weeks for those required to self-isolate, or for the duration of the person’s absence from work if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19. For more information visit https://www.gov.ie/en/service/df55ae-how-to-apply-for-illness-benefit-for-covid-19-absences/.
- Employers must be vigilant in their understanding of the legal concerns under the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 to 2014 and may need to seek professional legal advice in certain circumstances.
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