Irish Rural Link

News

By

New COVID-19 Income Support Scheme

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection announced yesterday, 24th March, new rates of social welfare payments for those impacted by COVID-19. These include;

  • a temporary wage subsidy of 70% of take home pay up to a maximum weekly tax free amount of €410 per week to help affected companies keep paying their employees. This is the equivalent of €500 per week before tax
  • workers who have lost their jobs due to the crisis will receive an enhanced emergency COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €350 per week (an increase from €203) If you have already applied before the 24th of March or are already in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment you do not need to do anything. Your next payment will be paid at the increased rate.
  • the COVID-19 illness payment will also be increased to €350 per week
  • the self-employed will be eligible for the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €350 directly from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (rather than the Revenue scheme)
  • enhanced protections for people facing difficulties with their mortgages, rent or utility bills

The Department’s COVID-19 Income Support Helpline is open 9am-5pm on 01-2481398/1890-800-024. Please DO NOT visit your local Intreo Office

By

Social Welfare Payment Special Arrangements for COVID-19

The Department of Social Protection have made special arrangements for Social Welfare Payments including State Pension during the COVID-19 outbreak. Some of these include:

– Post Office Payments will be available for collection for 90 days.
– Weekly payments will change to fortnightly from this week. You will receive 1 payment to cover 2 weeks.
– You can appoint a temporary agent to collect your weekly payment. Forms are available at some post offices or you can download here
The temporary agent must bring the form to the Post Office signed by the welfare recipient with the person’s Public Service Card and a form of ID. A form must be signed each time the agent collects on behalf of someone.
– All signing at Intreo offices has been suspended.
Full information is available on Departments website on https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-employment-affairs-and-social-protection/?referrer=/deasp/

By

Irish Rural Link Welcome the Launch of COVID-19 Government Action Plan to Support the Community Response

Irish Rural Link (IRL) – the national network representing the interest of rural communities is welcoming the launch by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Minister Michael Ring, of the COVID-19 Government Action Plan to Support Community Response. A new helpdesk for community and voluntary group has been set up and can be emailed on c&vsupports@drcd.gov.ie. Full press release is available here.

A copy of the Department’s Action Plan is available here and a communication pack containing 6 leaflets available to download here

By

Protocol for Community Groups and Volunteers in delivering services

The coming weeks and possibly months will be challenging for everyone but can be more difficult for the elderly and vulnerable who live alone.  While people and communities are being urged to help out and check in with their elderly neighbours, many voluntary groups across the country have begun to mobilise their members to help out on different initiatives.  However, some precaution needs to be taken with regard the safety and welfare of elderly people living alone and other vulnerable people. IRL have developed a set of guidelines for community groups mobilising volunteers over the coming days a week. The set of protocols are available to download here

By

Minister Ring urges communities to rally round and support their vulnerable neighbours

Minister Ring, Minister for Rural and Community Development, has today said ‘The mobilisation of local community & voluntary groups and the engagement of volunteers at local level can play a crucial part in ensuring that vulnerable people living in the community can continue to have their needs met in the event that their usual sources of support become unavailable.’ Full Statement is available here

By

Irish Rural Link urge people to check in and help Elderly and other Vulnerable neighbours during COVID-19 outbreak

‘When there is a crisis, communities around the country pull together and look out for each other, we are now in a crisis and are calling on communities to stay safe and take care of those who are most vulnerable at this time’ Irish Rural Link are calling on communities to work together and help each other during the Covid-19 outbreak, especially those in the High Risk category. Read more here