Tag Archives: Level 5

Above from left: the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath; The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, and the Minister for Social Protection, Community and Rural Development, Heather Humphreys outline changes to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme this afternoon

This afternoon.

Government Buildings, Dublin 2.

The budget deficit this year will now be €23 billion, up approximately €1.25 billion on the figure outlined in Budget 2021, Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe announced at a press conference.

Via RTÉ

The increase reflects the anticipated €2 billion spend over the next six weeks on several income and business support schemes as Level 5 restrictions come into play.

This will mean that GDP is expected to decline this year by 3.5%, a further 1% decline on the forecast released at Budget time.

Mr Donohoe said that the enhanced Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is expected to cost €105m a week, the new Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) €80m a week and the PUP €135m a week.

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys said the enhanced PUP will be given at its current rate until January when it will then be reviewed….

Level 5 Covid restrictions to push Budget deficit up to €23 billion (RTÉ)

Julian Behal Photography/RollingNews

Ahead of Level 5.

What is an essential retail outlet?

Via Retail Excellence:

1. Outlets selling food or beverages on a takeaway basis, or newspapers, whether on a retail or wholesale basis and whether in a non-specialised or specialised outlet.

2. Markets that, wholly or principally, offer food for sale.

3. Outlets selling products necessary for the essential upkeep and functioning of places of residence and businesses, whether on a retail or wholesale basis.

4. Pharmacies, chemists and retailers or wholesalers providing pharmaceuticals or pharmaceutical or dispensing services, whether on a retail or wholesale basis.

5. Outlets selling health, medical or orthopaedic goods in a specialised outlet, whether on a retail or wholesale basis.

6. Fuel service stations and heating fuel providers.

7. Outlets selling essential items for the health and welfare of animals (including animal feed and veterinary medicinal products, pet food, animal bedding and animal supplies), whether on a retail or wholesale basis.

8. Laundries and drycleaners.

9. Banks, post offices and credit unions.

10. Outlets selling safety supplies (including work-wear apparel, footwear and personal protective equipment), whether on a retail or wholesale basis.

11. Hardware outlets, builders’ merchants and outlets that provide, whether on a retail or wholesale basis –
(a) hardware products necessary for home and business maintenance or construction and development,
(b) sanitation and farm equipment, or
(c) supplies and tools essential for farming or agriculture purposes.

12. Outlets providing for the repair and maintenance of mechanically propelled vehicles or bicycles and any related facilities (including tyre sales and repairs).

13. The following outlets, insofar as they offer services on an emergency basis only:
(a) Optician and optometrist outlets.
(b) Outlets providing hearing test services or selling hearing aids and appliances.
(c) Outlets selling office products and services for businesses or for relevant persons working from their respective places of residence, whether on a retail or wholesale basis.
(d) Outlets providing electrical, information and communications technology and telephone sales, repair and maintenance services for places of residence and businesses.

14. Any other retail outlet that operates an online or other remote system of ordering goods for purposes of collection at the retail outlet.

15. Outlets selling food or beverages whether on a retail or wholesale basis and whether in a non-specialised or specialised outlet –
(a) insofar as they sell food or beverages on a takeaway basis or for consumption off the premises,
(b) insofar as they are staff canteens operating for the exclusive use of persons working in, or at, a particular premises, or
(c) subject to paragraph 8 of Part 2, hotels or similar accommodation services insofar as they sell food or beverages for consumption on the premises by residents of the service.

Earlier: This Land Is Hemp Land

Level 5: Essential Retail as defined by Government for Level 5 (Retail Excellence)

At a glance: What does Level 5 mean? (RTÉ)

RollingNews

Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly TD this afternoon

This afternoon.

Leinster House, Dublin 2.

Any Level 5 pushback?

The Social Democrats said the prospect of some normality at Christmas is an incentive to work hard, but this time must be used to devise an agreed medium-term strategy, while Labour leader Alan Kelly said the hope of some Christmas celebrations will build social solidarity…

Oh.

Meanwhile…

 

Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald

Last night.

Speaking on [Newstalk’s] The Hard Shoulder, [Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald] said: “I accept that measures up to and including Level 5 may sadly be necessary.”

Anti masker.

You’re on your own.

Cabinet agrees to allow 25 mourners attend funerals during Level 5 (RTÉ)

Mary Lou McDonald Says ‘Restrictions May be Necessary’ (Newstalk)

RollingNews

This morning.

Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1

Stoner-filled breeding ground for the lurgy?

Or oasis of sanity in a world gone hatstand?

Only YOU can decide.

Previously: Free Your Mind

From top: Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly leaving government buildings on Sunday evening; Taoiseach Micheál addressing the nation on Level 5 restrictions last night

This morning

A proposal by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly that would allow for fixed charge notices or fines for breaches of rona regulations will be brought to cabinet today.

Via RTE:

This would be underpinned by changes to legislation dating back to 1947.

It is likely penalties could be introduced for breaches of the regulation that states people must exercise within 5km of their home.

Official documents last night said that there will be a penalty for movement outside the 5km limit, unless it is for essential work, medical appointments or providing care to children or the elderly.

1947, anyone?

Fines for breaching Covid-19 rules on Cabinet agenda (RTÉ)

Last night: Five Guys

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan (left) and Deputy CMO Dr. Ronan Glynn

This afternoon.

More as we get it.

Meanwhile…

Earlier: Answer A Broadsheet Reader

‘Revise Current Policy And Consider An Alternative Strategy Tailored To Our Nation And Its People’

Last week: We Knew This Day Would Come

RollingNews

Dav writes:

Was checking this to see if my job would be safe with the new restrictions (it is!) and couldn’t help but notice this list was only published last Wednesday!

At the risk of joining the tin-hat brigade, is there something to the fact it was only released two days before Holohan’s recommendations on Friday… and if it is just a coincidence, why did it take so long to be published in the first fuppin’ place?

Anyone?

Essential services for Level 4 (Gov.ie)