Fórsa has today (23rd March) received an assurance from the Department of Education and Skills (DES) that special needs assistants (SNAs) will not be temporarily redeployed to clerical posts in the HSE or social welfare.

"I wanted to take this opportunity to address you directly as a member of Fórsa trade union at this time of crisis for all citizens. The events of the last two weeks are without precedent, and are an understandable source of anxiety for our members and their families. With so many of our members working in public services they are, in lots of different ways, at the very coal face of the response to Covid-19."

Fórsa has updated its advice on coronavirus-related work issues for local council workers  and staff in the wider public service. The advice covers attendance at work (including for pregnant workers and those with health vulnerabilities), salary protections for those self-isolating, temporary staff transfers, childcare and more. Read it HERE.

Fórsa has called on employers across the economy to ensure that social distancing is maintained to the greatest possible extent in workplaces, including those where customers and clients must be present to access services.

Non-critical clerical, administrative, professional and library staff may be temporarily redeployed to deal with an increased demand in other parts of the public service during the coronavirus crisis.

Weekend newspaper reports suggested that the Government was considering a generous wage-subsidy scheme – similar to that introduced in Denmark – to assist workers at risk of lay-offs on foot of the coronavirus.

A new blog post from the union-backed Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI) says the Government should put up billions in income supports and other emergency economic measures in response to the Covid-19 crisis.