Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty at a Covid-19 press briefing in Government Buildings last month
This afternoon.
In a press released issued by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, minister Regina Doherty said:
“Between our Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, those on the Live Register and workers who are benefitting from the wage subsidy scheme, over a million people are receiving some sort of state income support – a situation unparalleled in our nation’s history.
“This is a temporary health emergency and many sectors of the economy will be able to switch back on relatively quickly once the danger has passed.
“However, some sectors will be slower than others to recover and we will also have a challenge with youth employment as many young people who could have expected to have entered a buoyant jobs market will now face a much more complex environment.
“Understanding this, my Department is already planning for the post-pandemic environment and considering the best measures to help every worker to get back into the labour force as quickly as possible.”