WITH the Central Bank forecasting a financial hole of €22bn in the country’s economic outlook due to Covid-19, the Government has unveiled a raft of support schemes and measures to aid people and businesses at this time.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is the first port of call for any concerned sport horse employers or their employees at this time.

A team is on hand to help eligible people readily access these supports. Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow-based employers should email EmployerRelations@welfare.ie

Employers in all other areas should email: Employer@welfare.ie and the most up-to-date information is at twitter.com/welfare_ie

Among the support schemes is the Keeping Staff on Payroll: Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme.

Employers who can show they have lost at least 25% of trade will be able to claim 70% of your employees’ net wage, up to a maximum of €410, through this scheme.

Where an employee previously laid off has been re-hired, the employee will qualify for the scheme if their DEASP claim is ceased.

Employees can close their claim online at www.MyWelfare.ie under the Covid-19 payment section.

Hours cut or lay-offs

If employers need to place workers on a shorter working week or have had to cut their hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic, workers can apply for Short Time Work Support (https://www.gov.ie/en/service/c20e1b-short-time-work-support/).

A number of income supports are available from the Department during a COVID-19-related absence or temporary lay-off from work:

  • Workers who are not diagnosed with COVID-19 but who self-isolate.
  • Workers whose employers do not supplement/top-up the State Illness Benefit payment (COVID-19).
  • Workers who are requested to stay at home by their employer (COVID-19).
  • Workers who need to take time off work to care for a person affected by COVID-19.

    • Unemployment payment

    You can apply for the new COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment if you:

  • Are aged between 18 and 66 years old.
  • Live in the Republic of Ireland.
  • Have lost your job due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • If you are self-employed and have ceased trading due to the pandemic.

    • An online application is the quickest and easiest way to apply for the emergency Covid-19 payment and you can do so at mywelfare.ie.

    Online marketing

    Meanwhile, Teagasc Equine Specialist Wendy Conlon advised: “Stay up to date with the Government supports in place to assist employers, employees and the self-employed on www.gov.ie.

    Now more than ever is a time to embrace on-line communication, marketing and selling. Online marketing platforms such as Irish Horse Gateway may be considered; creating a social media presence, or website utilisation are also valuable tools to keep trade active.”

    Visit the Horse Sport Ireland website to see their advice.