Source: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3b16b6-covid-19-coronavirus-information-from-across-government/
Daily government briefing
31 March
30 March
28 March
27 March
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current public health guidance
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income and business supports
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community supports
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updates on concerns related to the Irish Prison Service and caravan parks
National-level plans and developments
An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, spoke to the nation about the next stage in our national response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
An Post to roll out a range of new services to help during COVID-19
Following discussions between the government, An Post and the Communications Workers Union, An Post will roll out a host of new measures to help people deal with COVID-19, particularly the government's advice to stay inside your own home and avoid public gatherings.
New emergency measures to protect tenants
The government has approved a series of measures to protect renters who have been impacted by COVID-19.
The measures include:
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no evictions or rent increases for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency
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extending the notice period for renters who have been renting for less than 6 months from 28 days to 90 days
Government announces major new financial measures to help people cope with COVID-19
The Minister for Finance, Paschal Dohohue, has announced measures to help people deal with the financial strain of COVID-19.
These measures include:
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flexible arrangements for business and personal customers with their banks - including 3 month payment breaks where necessary (customers are advised to contact their bank)
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contactless payments to increase to €50 in the interests of public health policy
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making sure that people can continue to access banking services
Taoiseach addresses the nation
An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, spoke to the nation about how Ireland is responding to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and how the government is preparing for future challenges.
Government approves legislation to support national response to COVID-19
The government has passed new laws to allow for new welfare payments as well as special powers necessary to protect public health.
National Action Plan approved in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
The Cabinet Committee on COVID-19 has approved a National Action Plan in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
Information for businesses
The European Commission has approved Ireland's €200 million scheme, in line with EU State aid rules, to provide financial support to Irish companies affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
NSAI publishes guide for businesses
The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) has published a ‘Workplace Protection and Improvement Guide’ outlining preventative measures businesses can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Businesses can now donate supplies and services to combat COVID-19
Since COVID-19 arrived in Ireland, businesses have been contacting government bodies to offer to supply or donate goods and services. We have created a central database of these offers on behalf of the whole of the public service, including the HSE.
Your business can donate supplies or services here.
New Business Continuity Voucher goes live through Local Enterprise Offices
A new Business Continuity Voucher is now available through Local Enterprise Offices.
It is open to sole traders and companies across every business sector that employ up to 50 people.
Six-month moratorium on interest and repayments on new Microfinance Ireland COVID-19 loan
Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced that the new Microfinance Ireland COVID-19 loan includes an option for a moratorium on interest and repayments for the first six months.
Support for businesses impacted by COVID-19 through commercial rates deferral
The government has agreed with local authorities that they should agree to defer rates payments due from the most immediately impacted businesses - primarily in the retail, hospitality, leisure and childcare sectors, for three months, until end-May.
This measure will be implemented by each local authority in its own area.
Government measures for business and enterprise
The government has put in place a number of initiatives to support business and enterprise during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis.
These address long and short-term financial supports, tax alleviation measures, banking and credit measures and employee supports.
Information for employers
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.
Guidance for supply chain workers published
A guidance document has been prepared for supply chain workers in relation to COVID-19.
This guidance applies to hauliers, maritime staff, pilots and aircrew, ground staff, port staff, maintenance staff, engineering staff and all others involved in the maintenance and repair of critical infrastructure to allow freight operations in and out of Ireland to continue.
COVID-19 Guidance for supply chain workers
This guidance applies to those involved in the maintenance and repair of critical infrastructure to allow freight operations in and out of Ireland to continue.
Government supports for business
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is presenting immediate and severe financial challenges for businesses.
Information on government supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses is available from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
Statement announcing supports for businesses impacted by COVID-19.
The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD has announced that the Registrar of Companies has decided that all annual returns due to be filed by any company now and up to 30 June 2020 will be deemed to have been filed on time if all elements of the annual return are completed and filed by that date.
Information for childcare providers
Information on the community response
The department has developed an Action Plan to support this work.
The Action Plan sets out three key actions for initial focus in supporting a community response to COVID-19.
Each local authority (council) has established a Community Response Forum to coordinate Covid-19 related community supports. As part of this, each local authority has established a helpline that vulnerable people can phone if they are looking for basic services such as delivery of food or meals, or transport for essential trips.
Here is a list of each local authority’s helpline phone numbers.
| Local Authority | Community Response Number | |
| Carlow County Council | 1800 814300 | |
| Cavan County Council | 1800 300 404 | |
| Clare County Council | 1890 252 943 | |
| Cork City Council | 1800 222226 | |
| Cork County Council | 1800 805 819 | |
| Donegal County Council | 1800-928-982 | |
| Dublin City Council | 01 2228555 | |
| Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council | 01 2713199 | |
| Fingal County Council | 01 890 5000 | |
| Galway City Council | 1800 400 150 | |
| Galway County Council | 1800 928 894 and 091 509390 | |
| Kerry County Council | 1800 807 009 | |
| Kildare County Council | 045 980202 | |
| Kilkenny County Council | 1800 500000 | |
| Laois County Council | 1800 832 010 | |
| Leitrim County Council | 071 9650473 | |
| Limerick City & County Council | 1800 832005 | |
| Longford County Council | 043 3344255 | |
| Louth County Council | 1800 805 817 | |
| Mayo County Council | 094 906 4660 | |
| Meath County Council | 1800 808 809 | |
| Monaghan County Council | 1800 804 158 | |
| Offaly County Council | 1800 818181 | |
| Roscommon County Council | 1800 200 727 | |
| Sligo County Council | 1800 292 765 | |
| South Dublin County Council | 01 4149043 | |
| Tipperary County Council | 0761 06 5000 | |
| Waterford City and County Council | 1800 250 185 | |
| Westmeath County Council | 1800 805 816 | |
| Wexford County Council | 053 919 6000 | |
| Wicklow County Council | 1800 868 399 |
Information for farmers, fishermen and the food industry
The department remains open and is prioritising the delivery of essential services to farmers, fishermen and the food industry.
Information on the justice sector
Significant increase in Direct Provision accommodation announced
More than 650 new beds have been secured to support international protection applicants during the COVID-19 crisis.
Information for schools, preschools and third level institutions
The government has issued schools with updated guidance to help them operate the School Meals Programme amid the extended COVID-19 restrictions.
This will ensure that nutritious food gets to many thousands of young people who need it the most.
Schools, universities and childcare facilities to remain closed until 19 April 2020
All schools, pre-schools and further and higher education settings will remain closed to students until 19 April 2020.
Minister announces cancellation of Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate oral and practical performance tests
Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD has announced the cancellation of oral and practical performance tests of the state examinations which were originally scheduled to take place from Monday 23 March to Friday 3 April 2020.
All students who were due to take these tests will be awarded full marks for this portion of the exam.
Closure of schools, universities and childcare facilities
All schools, universities and childcare facilities are closed until 29 March.
All pupils and students, from pre-school to third level are urged to practice physical distancing, and to minimise physical contact with each other, to help avoid the spread of COVID-19.
This should include:
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minimising social contact
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avoiding meeting up
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keeping physical space between them
Parents and guardians are urged to support their children to maintain this approach.
Information on the transport sector
Minister Shane Ross and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have confirmed that the following services are suspended until further notice:
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National Driver Licence Service (NDLS)
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National Car Testing Service (NCT)
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Commercial Vehicle Testing System
This is in order to comply with the new public restrictions announced by the government on Friday 27 March.
Transport measures in response to COVID-19
The transport-related measures currently in place in response to COVID-19 are set out below.
Given that this is a rapidly evolving situation this page will be updated as required.