it@cork recognises the impact Covid-19 is having on our members, the business community and the general public at present. The following is an outline of government supports and advise available for both employers and employees at this very challenging time.
Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection (DEASP)
The Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection (DEASP) are contactable to provide and discuss essential information and resources available to companies in the Cork region around Covid-19.
Increase to the payment rate for COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment:
The payment rate of the new Pandemic Unemployment Payment has increased from €203 to €350 per week. The rate increase is effective from 24th March. The scheme is available to both employees and the self-employed who have lost employment on foot of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Any employee or self-employed person who has already in receipt of the COVID19 payment or who has applied will automatically get the higher rate from their next payment and they do not need to take any action.
Changes to the Employer Refund Scheme:
- The Employer Refund Scheme introduced on 15th March is no longer accepting applications. This scheme has been replaced by a new and enhanced Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme for employers, which will be administered by the Revenue Commissioners.
- Employers who have already signed up for the refund scheme announced on 15th March, and who may have received refunds under the current scheme do not need to reapply. Revenue will contact them directly to confirm that they meet the conditions for this new scheme.
- Revenue will operate this Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme. The scheme, enables employees, whose employers are affected by the pandemic, to receive significant supports directly from their employer. The scheme expected to last 12 weeks from 26 March 2020. Draft legislation governing the scheme will be published shortly.
- The scheme is available for employers who retain staff on payroll; some of the staff may be temporarily not working or some may be on reduced hours and/or reduced pay. Provided the employer meets the conditions set out and subject to the levels of pay to the employees the employer may be eligible for the scheme for some or all of the employees.
To qualify for the scheme, employers must:
- Be experiencing significant negative economic disruption due to Covid-19
- Be able to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of Revenue, a minimum of a 25% decline in turnover
- Be unable to pay normal wages and normal outgoings fully
- Retain their employees on the payroll.
For general issues relating to the scheme, employers should contact Revenue’s National Employer Helpdesk via the myEnquiries system, providing details of the query and a direct dial contact number.
Employers should make sure to:
- Select ‘Employer’s PAYE’
- Then ‘Employer’s PAYE General Enquiry’ when submitting the query through myEnquiries.
Temporary Lay-Offs- Please see below contact details for the offices of the DEASP in Cork City. This is relevant to any employer or employee that are faced with temporary layoffs due to the Covid 19 virus. In terms of catchment area, all queries from companies based on the northside of the City should go to Hanover Street and all southside addresses go to Abbey Court House.
Contact details for employers: Northside: Hanover Street: e: leighann.kennedy@welfare.ie / t: 021 4806802, Southside: Abbeycourt House Office: e: eilin.healy@welfare.ie / t: 021 4943125
Contact Details for Employees Southside queries: e: 2020ach@welfare.ie, Northside queries: e: 2020HanoverSt@welfare.ie
Workplace Relations Commission:t:1890 130 023 / www.workplacerelations.ie
General Information for Employers/Employees: can be found here: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information for Employers and Employees
Attached, please find a flyer / poster that can be used in the workplace for information purposes: Illness Benefit for COVID19
Finally, please find some information booklets that will be of interest to employers/employees on the emergency income support measures:
Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation (DBEI)
The DBEI also provides a very comprehensive and useful checklist of issues for enterprise to consider in responding to a COVID-19 outbreak. This includes Business Continuity Planning, travel advise HSE updates. The information can be found at the following link: DBEI
On the 10th of March, The Minister of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI), Heather Humphreys TD, announced details on the package of supports for businesses impacted by COVID-19. You can view details of this package here: Businesses impacted by COVID-19
Revenue Commissioners: The Revenue Commissioners have also outlined (13.03.20) some key advice and actions taken to assist small and medium enterprise (SME) businesses experiencing cashflow and trading difficulties arising from the impacts of the virus. More information can be accessed here - Revenue announce measures to assist SMEs experiencing cashflow difficulties arising from COVID-19
State Agencies:
Companies should contact their respective state agencies to find out more about what supports they are eligible for:
it@cork are on hand to offer any assistance or advice to our members during these unprecedented times so please do not hesitate to contact us. Our thoughts are with those affected at this time.
it@cork team: e: admin@itcork.ie, t: +353 21 4868180
