Coronavirus Employment Update 24/4/2020

We have a number of employment news articles related to the Coronavirus this week including:

Over 45,000 Employers Registered for TWSS Last Week 

RTÉ reported that applications for the temporary wage subsidy scheme payments started in earnest last week:

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2020/0417/1132200-over-45-100-employers-registered-for-twss/ 

Updated Revenue Guidance on the TWSS

One of the frustrating but perhaps understandable issues with the TWSS is that guidance is often tweaked or varied. The latest guidance includes information in relation to the following:

Confirmation that the determination of a 25% reduction in turnover or customer orders may be applied at the level of the company or, if a company is formally structured into individual Business Divisions, at the level of the individual Business Division.

Sectoral based examples to assist employers considering a reduction in customer orders as the basis for eligibility for the scheme.

Retention of employees having regard to corporate structures, company reconstruction and employee services provided by an associated company.

Revenue’s updated guidance in relation to TWSS Employer Eligibility can be found on Revenue’s website:

https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/communications/documents/guidance-on-employer-eligibility-and-supporting-proofs.pdf

A Review of COVID-19 Employment Related Schemes in Ireland – Q&A

This Q&A document follows from a webinar we ran on the 9th April 2020 with Bláthnaid Evans Head of Employment Practice, Leman Solicitors and Shane O'Donovan, Tax Director, PKF O'Connor, Leddy & Holmes Limited. The document contains an additional 20+ questions and answers that we were unable to get through during the broadcast and reflects updated Revenue guidance (at the time of writing):

https://www.legal-island.ie/articles/ire/features/supplementary/2020/apr/a-review-of-covid-19-employment-related-schemes-in-ireland-qa/

Insolvency Arguments linked to the TWSS Continue

Arguments about possible future problems arising out of the TWSS continue in Irishlegal.com:

https://www.irishlegal.com/article/richard-grogan-a-problem-in-the-making-for-employment-lawyers  

A Comparison of UK Covid-19 Job Retention Scheme & Irish Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme 

Ciara Fulton, Partner in Jones Cassidy Brett Solicitors, compares the features of the UK Covid-19 Job Retention Scheme and the Irish Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme. This will be particularly useful for readers operating on both sides of the border:

https://www.legal-island.ie/articles/ire/features/supplementary/2020/apr/comparison-of-uk-covid-19-job-retention-scheme--irish-temporary-wage-subsidy-scheme/

Maples Group - Analysis of Covid-19 Temporary Support Schemes

In this summary, Karen Killalea, James Scanlon and Ciara Ni Longaigh of the Maples Group Employment Team in Dublin, provide an analysis of all of the temporary support schemes introduced by the Irish Government for employers and employees in response to COVID-19. 

https://www.legal-island.ie/articles/ire/features/supplementary/2020/apr/maples-group-analysis-of-covid-19-temporary-support-schemes/

Supreme Court’s First Use Of Video Technology To Hear Case Remotely

For the first time ever, the Supreme Court in Ireland held a sitting with all parties being present via remote video technology. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, welcomed the announcement by the Courts Service. Other courts will roll out the technology for use in suitable cases in the coming days and weeks. More:

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/PR20000056  

Government May Ease Restrictions In Stages From May 5th

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/coronavirus-government-may-ease-restrictions-in-stages-from-may-5th-1.4234598  

Events of 5,000+ Banned in Ireland Until at Least the Autumn

https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/News/Government_Statement_on_licensed_events.html

Education Issues and Lockdown

Autism Charity Warns Children May Be Unable To Return To School

https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0417/1132241-autism-charity-school-warning/  

Department Of Education And Skills Statement On Stakeholder Engagement In Relation To The State Examinations

http://merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/Releases/Department_of_Education_and_Skills_statement_on_stakeholder_engagement_in_relation_to_the_State_Examinations.html

Dept Confirms No Junior Cert Exams This Year

https://www.rte.ie/news/education/2020/0421/1132873-junior-certificate/

But – Leaving Certs May Start on 29th July

https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0421/1132983-leaving-cert-possible-date/