Please see details of announcement that have just been made in relation to the Covid 19 Social Welfare Payments and also the new restrictions which will now be in place until 19 April . 

Increase in Covid 19 Special Social Welfare Payment

The Covid 19 Special Social Welfare Payment has been increased from €203 to €350 per week. This payment is also available to self employed people.

Employers to be given a temporary wage subsidy of 70% of take home pay up to a maximum weekly tax free amount of €410 per week to help affected companies keep paying their employees. This is the equivalent of €500 per week before tax

The Covid 19 illness payment is also increased to €350 per week – this is also for people in households who have been asked to self-isolate if 1 person is ill with Covid 19

The full details on this announcement are available https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/a6d8fa-government-announced-new-covid-19-income-support-scheme/

People can apply for forms for these special Covid 19 payments by emailing forms@welfare.ie they can also now apply online at https://www.gov.ie/en/service/be74d3-covid-19-pandemic-unemployment-payment/

New Restrictions In place until April 19^th

• All theatres, clubs, gyms, leisure centres, hairdressers, marts, markets casinos, bingo halls, betting shops, libraries and other similar places are to shut.
• All hotels and non-essential retail outlets will close – a list of those will be provided.
• All cafes and restaurants should limit to take away and deliveries only.
• All sporting events are cancelled – including those behind closed doors.
• All playgrounds and holiday/caravan parks are to close.
• All places of worship are to restrict numbers visiting.
• All household contacts of someone waiting for a test should restrict their movements.
• All non-essential visiting to other persons homes should be avoided.
• All scheduled cruise ships to Ireland will cease.
• Factories or construction sites should not have to shut – authorities can work with them to make sure physical distancing is possible.
• There will be an increased presence of park rangers and gardaí in parks and public places to ensure that physical distancing is being observed.
• Significantly raise the amount of money available on cashless card transactions.
• All organised indoor and outdoor events of any size are not to take place
• Social distancing, in as far as practicable, is to be ensured between the clients/patients in confined settings, such as:

long term care facilities, either for the elderly or people with special needs;

psychiatric institutions;

homeless shelters

prisons