New measures announced to counter surge in COVID-19 cases

The Government also announced that it is making available to affected establishments a full wage supplement amounting to circa €800 per employee per month. Businesses and self-employed that have been ordered to shut down as a result of this last series of measures – and who had not benefitted from the wage supplement to date - can now apply for the maximum assistance until they remain closed due to restrictions. Affected establishments that are already receiving this assistance need not re-apply.

Enterprises currently benefiting from the 2021 Wage Supplement Scheme, whose business has not been ordered to shut down as a result of the new restrictions, shall continue to benefit from the scheme, in terms of which the assistance provided is calculated based on the reduction in sales suffered over a six month period in 2020 when compared to the same period in 2019.

Meanwhile, parents employed in the private sector with children under 16 years of age, who are not able to work from home, and who due to the closure of schools (between the 15^th March and 11^th April 2021) cannot go to work and are on unpaid leave, and need to take care of their children, may apply for the COVID-19 Parent Benefit Scheme, through their employer. Employers whose employees apply for this scheme may not benefit from the wage supplement for such employees. 

Publication date: 04/03/2020