Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1154. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the protections or measures in place or to be put in place in scenarios related to the Covid-19 outbreak (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4227/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The existing suite of employment rights legislation continues to apply throughout the period affected by the Covid pandemic. The full range of employment rights protections contained in, inter alia,the Payment of Wages Act 1991, the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, and the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 to 2014 remain applicable.

Employees and employers, most of whom have now been engaging for several weeks in reaching reasonable arrangements and accommodations in the current extraordinary circumstances, are encouraged to continue doing so in a constructive manner. Complaints in relation to employers attempting to impose more restrictive terms than are provided by statute or in the terms and conditions of the individual employment contract should be made to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

In addition, an all-of-Government approach is being taken to financially support workers and businesses alike. In addition to the existing range of social welfare support schemes, the Government has put in place the ‘National COVID-19 Income Support Scheme’. This includes:

- a wage subsidy scheme to help affected companies keep paying their employees and maintain the employment relationship;

- an emergency Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €350 per week for both employed and self-employed workers who have suffered a collapse in income;

- an enhanced illness benefit payment of €350 per week;

- enhanced protections for people facing difficulties with their mortgages, rent or utility bills.

Further detailed and regularly updated information on the operation of the various payment schemes is available from .

Further information on employment rights and obligations as well as information on the mediation and adjudication of disputes is available on the WRC website .

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.