Weekly €350 Covid-19 payment to be extended beyond mid-June: Taoiseach

The weekly €350 Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment paid to people who lost jobs due to the coronavirus will be extended beyond mid-June, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed today.

Speaking in the Dáil, Mr Varadkar also insisted Ireland is going “in the right direction” and that he is confident Phase One of easing restrictions can proceed on May 18.

He said the Cabinet would make a final decision on Friday, May 15 following advice from National Public Health Emergency Team (NHPET).

The Taoiseach also said today that Covid-19 could have been in Ireland as early as late last year or early January this year. He told the Dáil that more research is needed and that “time will tell.”