Coronavirus Ireland: Apprentices to be paid in full during Covid-19 crisis

Apprentices have been reassured they will get paid during the Coronavirus emergency.

There were fears that the mainly young workers learning their trades could be caught in a loophole where they wouldn’t qualify for wages or benefits payments.

There are two main crisis benefits that the Government has organised for workers who have suddenly found themselves out of work because of Coronavirus.

One is a €350 payment for PAYE workers who have been laid off, and there is another one worth up to €410 for those who are still on the books but have been let go temporarily.

It was announced at the Government’s daily Coronavirus briefing that apprentices who are ‘on job’ qualify for the welfare benefits, while those ‘off job’ continue to claim their training wages.

Stock picture of construction workers building new homes (Photo: Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Assistant Secretary at the Department of the Taoiseach, Liz Canavan, explained: “Apprenticeships are divided into two phases – on the job and off the job.

“Apprentices who are in a phase of off the job training will continue to receive their training allowance from the State.

“There will be no loss of income for these apprentices.

“Apprentices who are on the job with their employers and who have subsequently lost employment are eligible for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.”

Ms Canavan also moved to reassure older workers over the age of 66 that there are a range of benefits available outside of the pension or Coronavirus welfare benefits.

She said: “I would like to address the situation for people aged over 66, in receipt of a State pension, who are employees and have lost employment.

“These people are eligible to be included in the Temporary Wage Subsidy scheme and can retain that pension payment if they lose employment income.

“People in receipt of State pension payments also have automatic access to a range of other income supports not available to unemployed people – including the Free Fuel Allowance, the Living Alone Allowance and the Free TV licence.

“And I’m reminding you that Fuel Allowance has been extended to four weeks this year until Friday, 8th May.”