The income support arrangements announced by the Government are a massive package, aimed at supporting the earnings of those made redundant while, crucially, trying to keep people linked to their employers. The hope is that this will make it easier for the economy to restart when the crisis is past. Up to 800,000 people could avail of the various schemes on offer, at a cost to the exchequer of €3.7 billion. Unfortunately we will emerge from this crisis with much higher unemployment and presumably many will revert in time to standard unemployment payments. But we must hope many people will be able return to work when the crisis is past.

Source: The Irish Times March 24, 2020 21:56 UTC