• The government has announced a National COVID-19 Income Support Scheme. This will provide financial support to Irish workers and businesses affected by the crisis.
• If you have concerns about your ability to pay your tax liabilities speak to the Revenue Commissioners, who have advised: “On an on-going basis, Revenue engages with viable businesses experiencing temporary cash flow or trading difficulties that affect the timely payment of tax. Revenue works very successfully with businesses that engage early to resolve their tax payment difficulties. Revenue will engage with any viable business thatexperiences temporary cashflow difficulties, including difficulties arising from exceptional circumstances such as the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak.”

https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/Government-supports-to-COVID-19-impacted-businesses.html

Dept of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

• A number of income supports are available from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection for your employees during a COVID-19 (Coronavirus) related absence or temporary lay-off from work:
  – Employees and the self-employed who have lost employment due to a downturn in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
  – Workers who are not diagnosed with COVID-19 but who self-isolate
  – Workers whose employers do not supplement/top-up the State Illness Benefit payment (COVID-19)
  – Workers who are requested to stay at home by their employer (COVID-19)
  – Workers who are laid off temporarily or put on to short time working (COVID-19)]
  – Workers who need to take time off work to care for a person affected by COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/4cf0e2-covid-19-coronavirus-information-for-employers-and-employees-test/

Dept of Finance

• Extensive supports for SME customers – banks are working to ensure a wide range of credit, cash flow and supply chain supports are offered to businesses who are trying to manage the pressures arising from COVID-19. A deferral of up to 3-months on loan repayments will be of assistance to many businesses
• If you need to place your employees on a shorter working week or have had to cut their hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic, your employees can apply for Short Time Work Support.

https://www.gov.ie/en/news/878d4d-wednesdminister-donohoe-outlines-further-measures-to-support-individ/

Department of Health

• You should stay at home as much as possible.
• The digital partner pack continues to be updated and can be downloaded online at: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/partner-resources/

https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/c36c85-covid-19-coronavirus/

Department of Tourism Transport and Sport

• WHO has declared CoVid-19 as a pandemic and all sport has been suspended.
• Government enforces restrictions on groups of 4 people

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/df4112-coronavirus-facts-symptoms-and-prevention/

Department of Rural and Community Development plan can be found here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/70be56-government-action-plan-for-community-response-to-covid-19/

Sports Capital Funding

• As resources are diverted in response to the challenge posed to the nation by COVID-19 the level of service provided may be affected.

https://www.gov.ie/en/service/d13385-sports-capital-programme/

FAQ’s for Employers and Employees in relation to Home-Working on a temporary basis (COVID-19)
https://www.hsa.ie/eng/news_events_media/news/news_and_articles/faq%E2%80%99s_for_employers_and_employees_in_relation_to_home-working_on_a_temporary_basis_covid-19_.html

Insurance
As members of the Alliance for Insurance we recommend you follow their work in relation to insurance matters impacted by COVID-19. You will find updates on their work at https://insurancereform.ie/ or on twitter @InsuranceRefIre

CRO
https://www.cro.ie/About-CRO/Latest-News/ArtMID/1567/ArticleID/1407/Update-Regarding-Filing-of-Annual-Returns

Key Updates
Here are some important additions, resources and updates for you:
www.merrionstreet.ie –  The Government has announced a National Covid-19 Income Support Scheme to provide financial support to Irish workers and companies and effected by the crisis. Other measures relevant to all citizens (including sporting events) are announced there.

www.hse.ie – More than 60,000 applications were made to the HSE’s recruitment drive for staff to join the fight against Covid-19. This may be a useful message to spread to the sporting community to encourage the passing on of that information to medical practitioners within its ranks.

www.health.gov.ie – The Department of Health information in relation to Covid-19 can be accessed through their website.

www.dbei.gov.ie – Information on measures including Microfinance Ireland Covid-19 Loan could be relevant to NGBs and clubs.

www.who.int – Up to date international Covid-19 information can be sourced from the World Health Organisation website.

www.garda.ie – The news section has links to the HSE guidelines and information on social distancing.

Resources

• There is now a video on social distancing:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0-uuijhF4Q
• Translated resources in 10 languages can be found at: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/partner-resources/covid-19-translated-resources/
• The HSE is currently utilising TV, radio and other forms of advertising for public health information on Coronavirus.
• Social distancing graphics for premises floors can be found here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/472f64-covid-19-coronavirus-guidance-and-advice/#social-distancing-graphics