Ingrid Miley

Industry and Employment Correspondent

The duration of the suspension will initially be for two weeks

Student nurses to have clinical placements suspended

Over 2,000 student nurses and midwives are to have their clinical placements suspended for at least two weeks in order to free up qualified supervisory staff for frontline duties in hospitals.

Coronavirus • 16 Jan 21

The Covid pandemic has seen an unprecedented transition to remote working

Remote working strategy sets out ambitious targets

With pandemic restrictions showing little sign of easing in the short term, hundreds of thousands of currently house-bound employees, and their employers, will be keeping a close eye on the Government's remote working promises.

Analysis and Comment • 16 Jan 21

The strategy sets a target for 20% of public sector workers to work remotely

Employees to have right to request remote working

The Government is to legislate to give employees the right to request remote working as part of a National Remote Working Strategy under a permanent framework for after the pandemic ends.

Business • 15 Jan 21

The 60 doctors belonging to the IMO had been due to hold the first of three one-day stoppages today

Public health doctors warn of strike action

Public health doctors central to the battle against Covid-19 have warned that they will resume their deferred strike action if the Government does not engage meaningfully on their demand for a regrading to hospital consultant status.

Health • 14 Jan 21

The INMO wants prioritisation of healthcare workers for vaccination to continue

INMO calls for all private hospitals to be nationalised

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has called for all private hospital capacity to be fully nationalised into the public healthcare system, to deliver additional beds and staffing over the coming weeks.

Coronavirus • 13 Jan 21

Around 1,000 workers lost their jobs when Debenhams' Irish operation went into liquidation last April

Former Debenhams staff reject dispute resolutions

The Mandate trade union, which represents around 1,000 former Debenhams workers, has urged the Taoiseach to make €3 million available to the workers in direct cash payments, rather than non-cash training and upskilling supports.

Business • 13 Jan 21

Minister Humphreys confirmed that this arrangement will remain in place during the latest set of Level 5 restrictions.

Those unable to work due to childcare eligible for PUP

The Department of Social Protection has confirmed that workers who cannot attend work due to a lack of childcare during the current Level 5 restrictions will be able to apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, on the basis of "self-declaration".

Business • 12 Jan 21

Fórsa claims there had been a 'widespread management failure'

Employers flouting workplace attendance rules - Fórsa

The largest public service union Fórsa has accused public service employers of flouting Covid-19 public health restrictions by forcing more people than necessary to travel to work during Level 5 restrictions.

Coronavirus • 12 Jan 21

The sector that has seen the highest increase in people receiving PUP this week is wholesale and retail

People unable to work due to childcare eligible for PUP

Workers unable to go to work due to a lack of childcare triggered by Covid-19 closures may be eligible to claim the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, according to the Department of Social Protection.

Business • 11 Jan 21

The total cost of the PUP scheme since its introduction last March has now reached over €5 billion

20% increase in number of people getting PUP

335,600 people will receive the Pandemic Unemployment Payment today, an increase of almost 58,000 or over 20% since 22 December, according to the latest figures from the Department of Social Protection.

Business • 05 Jan 21