Ibec responds to latest CSO Live Register figures

April 02, 2020

Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, says that the rapid increase in numbers availing of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and Wage Subsidy Scheme is not unexpected given the unprecedented efforts to combat the coronavirus.  

Today’s CSO figures, that show 283,037 people are now in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and a further 25,104 persons on the Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme, underscore the importance and necessity of income supports and wage subsidy schemes to keep workers and employers connected and provide support for those impacted by the extensive coronavirus containment measures and related economic impacts of the crisis. 

While the priority remains for necessary containment measures to support the health and safety of people, Ibec reiterates its call for all stakeholders across the economy to help make the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme work. It is a critical component to ensure the sustainability of our business model during the crisis and for our reboot and recovery.