An estimated 70,000 restaurant workers and 50,000 pub and bar workers have been laid off work in Ireland due to efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19.
According to rte.ie, the minister for social protection, Regina Doherty, stated that it will be a "number of weeks" before employers are reimbursed for paying employees at least the jobseeker rate of €203 per week if their business has to cease trading due to of COVID-19 measures.
Doherty said, "If you have the card, you can go to mygov.ie and fill out the form, and you will be responded to within days. If you don't have one, go to welfare.ie and download the form and send it back by freepost to PO BOX 12896."
COVID-19 Payment
The COVID-19 payment allows continuity of income for those who have lost their jobs until the Department of Social Protection can establish the type of benefit they should be on.
Doherty commented, "Right now people who have lost their jobs, mainly because of COVID-19, can apply and they will receive it until we figure out what payment they should be on and we move them to that more appropriate payment for as long as they need it."
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