Under the Redundancy Payments Act 1967, employees who are placed on a period of lay-off or short-time for four consecutive weeks, or six weeks in any thirteen-week period, can request redundancy.

In response to Covid-19 and to assist businesses during these difficult times, the Government issued the ‘Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Bill 2020.’ This Bill temporarily prevents employees invoking these redundancy rights when on a period of lay-off or short-time. This has recently been extended until 30^th November 2020.

Please further note, if an Employer wishes to make an employee redundant there is still a full process involved in same. Please ensure you liaise with your HR Advisor before beginning any redundancy process.

Learn more about redundancy during covid-19 on our post here

SME Credit Guarantee Scheme opens to support Irish Business with the impact of COVID- 19

From today Irish businesses will be able to apply for credit loans covered by the government. Small and medium-sized companies can borrow from €10.000 to up to €1m with 80% of the loan guaranteed by the government. The purpose of the scheme is to encourage additional lending to SMEs by offering a partial Government guarantee.

The eligible applicants can receive a loan of a period of 3 months to seven years. Rates are applied according to Banks flexibility.

More information on the scheme process, here.

The Green List was reviewed again on Thursday, the 15th of October. As no EU / EEA countries were below the required 14-day cumulative number of COVID-19 cases, there are no countries on the Green List.

Therefore, Employees travelling abroad will be required to restrict their movements for 14 days in line with the Government Guidelines.

All counties in Ireland are now at Level-3 from midnight on Tuesday 6 October. Dublin and Donegal Level 3 was extended beyond the initial 3 week period. What does the level 3 measures include?

Bars, restaurants and cafes:

Additional restrictions for indoor dining. For more information on bars, cafes and restaurants (including hotel restaurants and bars) in Dublin

Weddings:

Up to 25 people can attend a wedding ceremony and reception.

Outdoor gatherings:

Gatherings of up to 15 people can take place.

Religious services:

Services move online. Places of worship remain open for private prayer.

Social and family gatherings:

Visitors from 1 other household to a maximum of 6 people only OR your own household only.

Organized indoor gatherings:

No organised indoor gatherings should take place.

Funerals:

Up to 25 mourners can attend.

For more information, see the graphic of the measure place in Dublin, here.