The Government has announced a move, for the whole of the country, to Level 5 of the Resilience and Recovery Plan with effect from midnight on Wednesday 21st October for a proposed period of 6 weeks to be reviewed after 4 weeks. Level 5 states that workplace attendance is for ‘essential workers only’. The Government has stated that manufacturing, construction, schools and childcare are all essential services. In addition, there is an updated list of essential services that includes the following note on ‘information and communications’ which we believe is relevant to our sector:
“the production of television and radio programmes, video, sound, digital or other electronic content and the broadcast or publication of the same to the public or a portion of the public.”
It is our understanding that recording and live streaming can take place if all the cast, crew and musicians are under contract/professionals, adhering to all the HSA and relevant workplace protocols. We suggest that decisions to go ahead with recording/streaming/publishing
Useful links
Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19
Return to Work Safely Protocol
Welfare & employment supports
A new payment structure for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) has been introduced as follows;
* Prior Weekly Earnings (Gross) of less than €200 has a PUP Payment of €203
* Prior Weekly Earnings (Gross) of €200 – €299.99 has a PUP Payment of €250
* Prior Weekly Earnings (Gross) of €300 – €399.99 has a PUP Payment of €300
* Prior Weekly Earnings (Gross) of more than €400 has a PUP Payment of €350
The change to payment rates will apply for payments issued from Tuesday 27 October (PUP is paid weekly on a Tuesday) in respect of all existing and new applicants.
The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is to be amended with 5 payment rates/bands as follows:
* 0 – €151.49 = €0
* >€151.50 < €203 = €203
* >€203 < €300 = €250
* >€300 < €400 = €300
* >€400< €1,462 = €350
The main aim of this scheme is to ensure where possible employees retain their link with their employer rather than become unemployed. This revised scheme will run to end January 2021.
Useful links
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Job Seekers Benefit advice
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Pandemic Unemployment advice
FAQs for Employers and Employees in relation to home-working on a temporary Basis (COVID-19)