Ireland’s two largest airlines – Aer Lingus and Ryanair – have signed up to the Government’s Covid-19 wage subsidy scheme, which is now up and running. It supports 70% of workers’ take-home income, up to a maximum weekly tax-free payment of €410.

The scheme, which runs for a 12-week-period, provides subsidies on incomes up to €76,000, and is capped at net €350 for incomes between €38,000 and €76,000.

The Government has urged employers to operate the scheme and keep staff on their books. It’s also asked them to top-up the payment – to 100% of if possible – to help maintain incomes and economic activity.

The scheme is designed to maintain jobs and support workers’ incomes during the crisis by giving workers enhanced income supports directly from their employer – underwritten by the public purse – in organisations that temporarily close or lose business because of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Government has put revised social welfare payments in place for workers laid off because of the coronavirus crisis.

The Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment of €350 is available to employees and self-employed who are out of work due to the coronavirus crisis.

Eligible people who have at least one adult and one child dependant, or those who have four or more child dependants, may be entitled to a higher rate of payment. They should apply for a jobseeker’s payment instead of the Covid-19 payment.