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Remember you are not alone. Help is out there. There are so many organisations offering online, phone and text support services: Samaritans 24 hour helpline: Call 116 123 / Email: jo@samaritans.ie Aware: 1800 804 848 Pieta House: 1800 247 247 Jigsaw: Call 1800 544729 / E-mail help@jigsaw.ie / Visit: https://jigsaw.ie/talk-online/ Free counselling sessions: http://mymind.org (for any age) &amp; http://jigsaw.ie (12-25 year olds) HSE mental health phone line: 1800 111 888 Childline: 1800 666 666 or Free Text the word ‘Talk’ to 50101 ALONE: 0818 222 024 Crisis Volunteers: Free Text 50808 Rape Crisis: 1800 778 888 Women&#x27;s Aid: 1800 341 900 Take care everyone.

Help is there if you need it | Don't suffer in silence

SUMMARY;<ul><li>The Wage Subsidy Scheme will be enhanced. There will be five bands now instead of two which will pay employers more to keep staff on.</li><li>Changes to the pandemic unemployment payment will see the €350 rate return for workers who were earning more than €400. </li><li>The Government have promised additional business supports.</li><li>Only essential businesses can remain open.  Construction sites, schools and creches can stay open.</li><li>Under level five, people will be asked to stay and work at home wherever possible, and to exercise within 5km of their home.</li><li>A graduated system of penalties is being examined to enforce the travel restrictions.</li><li>Weddings will also be allowed remain at 25 guests.</li><li>A &#x27;support bubble&#x27; system is being set up, allowing people who live alone to have close contact with one other household.</li><li>Elite sport including inter-county GAA will be allowed to continue as well as League of Ireland and the Six Nations.</li></ul>Official Government AnnouncementThe government has decided today that, as of midnight on Wednesday 21st October, all of Ireland will be placed on Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID with a small number of exceptions as set out below.This action is based on current public health advice, the deteriorating situation with the disease across the country and the Government’s objectives to support families by keeping schools and childcare facilities open, maintaining non-COVID health services and protecting the vulnerable.Level 5 restrictions will remain in place for a period of 6 weeks.Given the difficulties that these restrictions place on individuals and families across the State, the risk of job losses and of poverty and homelessness, the Government has agreed that the moratorium on evictions be reinstated and that Pandemic Unemployment Payment and the Employee Wage Subsidy Scheme be amended to reflect these challenges.Placing the country at Level 5 Restrictions will have the following implications:<ul><li>people are asked to stay at home. People should work from home unless providing an essential service for which their physical presence is required (see below for essential services)</li><li>people will be permitted to exercise within a radius of 5 km of their home</li><li>there will be a penalty for movement outside 5km of home, with exemptions to this for essential work and essential purposes (see notes to editors)</li><li>in line with current NPHET advice in respect of Level 5, schools, early learning and childcare services will continue to remain open and are deemed essential</li><li>in addition, in recognition of the impact on children and young people of restrictions, non-contact training can continue for school aged children, outdoors in pods of 15. All other training activities should be individual only, with some exemptions, see below</li><li>there should be no visits to other people’s homes or gardens</li><li>however, there will be the concept of an extended household (or support bubble) for defined categories of individuals to support those at risk of social isolation and/or mental ill-health (see notes to editors).</li><li>no social/family gatherings should take place, with the exemptions to this for weddings and funerals (see below).</li></ul>It is possible to meet with one other household in an outdoor setting which is not a home or garden, such as a park, including for exercise<ul><li>there should be no organised indoor or outdoor events.</li><li>essential retail and essential services will remain open (see below).</li><li>public transport will operate at 25% capacity for the purposes of allowing those providing essential services to get to work [School transport unaffected].</li><li>in line with current NPHET advice in respect of Level 5, professional, elite sports and inter-county Gaelic games, horse-racing and greyhound racing can continue behind closed doors.</li><li>bars, cafes, restaurants and wet pubs may provide take-away and delivery services only. Wet pubs in *hotels, guesthouses and B&amp;Bs may remain open, but only to support provision of essential services.</li><li>those aged over 70 and the medically vulnerable are advised to continue to exercise personal judgement. It is recommended that they stay at home as much as possible, limit engagement to a very small network for short periods of time, while remaining physically distanced. When taking exercise outdoors, it is important to maintain 2 metres distance from others and wash hands on returning home. It is recommended to shop during designated hours only, while wearing a face covering, and to avoid public transport.</li><li>religious services will be available online</li><li>museums, galleries and other cultural attractions will remain closed</li><li>libraries will be available for online services only.</li><li>outdoor playgrounds, play areas and parks will remain open with protective measures.</li><li>visits to Long Term Residential Care facilities are suspended with the exception of visits required for critical and compassionate circumstances</li></ul><h3>Essential purposes for travel (permitted outside 5k limit)</h3><ul><li>travel to and from work, where work involves providing an essential service (see below)</li><li>to attend medical appointments and collect medicines and other health products</li><li>for vital family reasons, such as providing care to children, elderly or vulnerable people, and in particular for those who live alone, as part of an extended household but excluding social family visits</li><li>to attend a wedding or funeral</li><li>for farming purposes i.e. food production and/or care of animals</li><li>to visit a grave</li></ul>ADDITIONAL NOTES;Exemptions for weddings (irrespective of venue):** Up to 25 guests for wedding ceremony and reception.Exemption for funerals: Up to 10 mourners.<h3>Sports/Training/Matches</h3>No training or matches should take place, with the exception of professional, elite sports and inter-county Gaelic games, horse-racing and greyhound racing, which are being permitted to continue behind closed doors.<h3>Extended Household Concept</h3>In order to support those who risk isolation, such as single adult households and those who have shared parenting or shared custody arrangements; those living alone who have mental health challenges, or those living with partner with dementia for example, it will be possible for those in such circumstances to nominate one other household with whom they can mix. This will allow for social support beyond the caring exemptions already available.<h3>Amendments to PUP and EWSS</h3>We know the move to Level 5 will have a significant impact on businesses – we know many people will temporarily lose their jobs on ThursdayAs a result of the fact that businesses have to close we are making changes to the PUP and the EWSSThe new payment structure for the PUP is as follows, with the rate of €350 restored to those who were earning in excess of €400 per week:Prior Weekly Earnings (Gross) less than €200 - PUP Payment €203€200 – €299.99 - PUP Payment €250€300 - €399.99 - PUP Payment €300more than €400 - PUP Payment €350This change to payment rates will apply for payments issued from Tuesday 27th October (PUP is paid weekly on a Tuesday) in respect of all existing and new applicants.The EWSS is also being amended to align with the amendment to PUP. This means here will be 5 payment rates/bands as follows:<ul><li>0 - €151 = €0</li><li>&gt;€151 &lt; €203 = €203</li><li>&gt;€203 &lt; €300 = €250</li><li>&gt;€300 &lt; €400 = €300</li><li>&gt;€400&lt; €1,462 = €350</li></ul>The main aim of this scheme is to ensure where possible employees retain their link with their employer rather than become unemployed. This revised scheme will run to end January 2021.SEE LIST OF ESSENTIAL RETAILERS; <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60ecc-essential-retail-outlets-for-level-4/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/essentialretail/" target="_blank">HERE</a>SEE LIST OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES; <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/essentialservices/" target="_blank">HERE</a>

Level 5 restrictions come into force midnight Wednesday

<h2>As the Serenity Prayer goes; “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and and wisdom to know the difference.</h2>More helpful words were never written. During times like this, it’s important to focus on what you can control. Right now you’re probably feeling scared, overwhelmed and very unsure of what the future holds for you – believe me this is normal taking into consideration what’s going on all around us and the World in general.I’ve been having bouts of panic myself recently. One minute I’m grand, just working away and I completely forget about what’s going on outside and then the next I’m feeling extremely stressed. But I have to keep reminding myself that if I can’t control what’s going on, I have to stop worrying about it. Of course I’m concerned about the people it’s affecting and if I can give support, I will. If I can’t change it, stressing myself out is only going to have a negative effect on those around me or who I work on line with.Thinking about the intersection of things that both matter and that we can control will really help – this is the place we should be focusing on because that’s where we can make a difference. I’ve come to the realisation that I can’t change the COVID-19 Virus, Government decisions, the economic crisis, currencies, restrictions on travel or things like Brexit. I can however focus on what I can change or control, my own behaviour and how I react – this way of thinking makes me more calm and content. It enables me to reach some goals and gives me some satisfaction.I’ve also limited the amount of news I read or watch, ignoring the noise helps me. To remain focussed on my own work. Mind yourself and try to stay focused yourself, I promise it will help.

In challenging times, it's important to figure out what you can control

To parents and guardians of school children in Ireland,I am very aware that many of you are worried about the reopening of schools and the associated risk of COVID-19 for your children. This concern is natural and is to be fully expected after a period of six months during which we have all had to adapt to the challenges posed by COVID-19.The decision to reopen schools has not been taken lightly and has been based on guidance produced by international bodies including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC); scientific evidence regarding the risk of COVID-19 in school children and staff; the experience of other countries that have not closed, or have reopened, their schools; our own experience having reopened childcare settings and summer camps since June; and evidence regarding the importance of school for the overall health and wellbeing of children.International evidence shows us that child-to-child and child-to-adult transmission of COVID-19 in schools is uncommon. In addition, our own experience to date in Ireland, and indeed that reported internationally, demonstrates that for the overwhelming majority of children who are diagnosed with COVID-19, their symptoms will be mild.The importance of schools for the overall health and wellbeing of children cannot be overstated, and the risk of COVID-19 has been carefully weighed against the very real harm that can be caused by sustained school closures. Schools play a fundamental role in the social life of children; they are where children are educated, make friends, share interests, learn social skills like self-confidence and empathy, and participate in sport and cultural activities.Of course, as we continue to navigate our way through this pandemic, there are no zero risk options for reopening schools or indeed any other environment; the aim, therefore, is to reopen in as safe a way as possible by ensuring that all appropriate public health measures such as physical distancing, hand washing and respiratory hygiene are implemented where appropriate.Schools are at the heart of our communities and the best way to protect them is to keep the level of COVID-19 in the community low. As parents and guardians, you can play a key role in this, both through your own actions and through the influence that you have on your family and friends. If all of us continue to make small changes to the way we live, we can - together - starve this virus of opportunities to transmit.While it is okay to send your child to school or childcare if they only have a runny nose or a sneeze, if you have any concerns that your child has symptoms of COVID-19 - fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell – then please keep them at home until you have spoken with your GP by phone. Lots more information is available at <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/a128d-back-to-school/" target="_blank">gov.ie/backtoschool</a> and <a href="https://www.hse.ie/eng/" target="_blank">hse.ie</a>.There will be cases of COVID-19 among children over the coming days and weeks, as there have been throughout this pandemic to date. But when this happens our public health teams in the HSE will respond and liaise closely with the school involved and ensure that all necessary measures are taken to protect other students and school staff.Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all you have done to keep your family and our communities safe over the past seven months. I also want to thank all teachers, principals and school staff who have worked so hard to ensure that our schools are ready to reopen – it is just one more example of the incredible solidarity that has defined the way in which people all across the country have come together to play their part in getting us through this pandemic.Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health.

Gov.ie - Letter to Parents, Guardians of School Children and School Staff

Notice for 3rd Level Students:A number of weeks ago, the Government provided €15 million to purchase laptops and ipads to help with remote learning and to bridge the digital divide.The Department of Higher Education has ordered almost 17,000 Dell laptops which will now be distributed across our universities, our Institutes of Technology, our ETB’s and a number of Solas funded colleges also.Anyone who needs a laptop and feels they fall into the criteria of disadvantaged student should apply to their college to the Student Services office and they will process your application.

Students to get laptops as part of €168m Covid-19 college fund

UPDATE;The Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe TD has asked the Revenue Commissioners to reinstate Proprietary Directors to the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) from 1 September where they meet the objective of the scheme of retaining ordinary employees on payroll.“Over the past 48 hours he said; &quot;I have listened to the concerns of certain Proprietary Directors in relation to provisions of the EWSS. These Proprietary Directors have been using the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) to retain “ordinary” employees in their business over recent months and they would wish to continue to do so under the new EWSS.Having considered the points raised with me, I have decided to ask the Revenue Commissioners to reinstate Proprietary Directors to the EWSS from 1 September where they are retaining &quot;ordinary&quot; employees on their payroll. Minister Donohoe has also asked his department to review the provision with the Revenue Commissioners during August consistent with achieving the above objective while also protecting the integrity of the EWSS.Guidance will issue from the Revenue Commissioners in good time for the commencement of the scheme on 1 September.Any legislative amendments will be included in the Finance Bill later in the year.https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/50a6d-minister-donohoe-reinstates-proprietary-directors-to-the-employment-wage-subsidy-scheme/PREVIOUSLYIn an open Letter to the Government from a self-employed couple, running a café following the Governments previous decision to cut directors / owners from the Wage Subsidy Scheme, fears grew for small businesses Nationwide.&quot; It read; “Having slipped this announcement into a paragraph in the law, the Government are slipping away on holidays, for six weeks, in the height of a pandemic, as the economy slips into an abyss.I’m tired of fighting, tired of being taken for granted and tired of paying the salaries of those who put themselves ahead of the citizens of Ireland.Those who had the courage to open a business in Ireland are #InItTogether, but it’s not the same place as our “leaders”.You have given us two choices. Close our business permanently and claim the dole or close our business for 12 months and minimise our losses to just the annual rent and claim the dole.We still make the coffee and cook the food, but because we own our business, the Government are saying that they will not subsidise our wages” “in a loss making business”, “To do so would be illegal under Company law.”PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO MAKE A CHANGE <a href="https://www.change.org/p/heather-humphreys-td-undo-decision-to-cut-directors-and-owners-from-the-wage-subsidy-scheme-to-save-businesses?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_23818486_en-GB%3A6&amp;recruiter=767983555&amp;utm_source=share_petition&amp;utm_medium=copylink&amp;utm_campaign=share_petition" target="_blank">HERE</a>Read their full letter <a href="https://idahocafe.tumblr.com/post/625099536724000768/an-open-letter-to-paschal-donohoe-and-the-irish?fbclid=IwAR3hmoJX9dBcmAOQhXmiHyPZu2gM5qR6NfvwFKxnNUliivKNmiv7zPW9BL4" target="_blank">here.</a>Here&#x27;s more Information about the details in the July Stimulus PackageAs part of the July Stimulus package released on 23 July, the government announced the introduction of a NEW Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) which will apply from July 31st until the end of March 2021. It will run concurrently with the existing Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) until 31 August at which stage the TWSS will cease.The EWSS provides many employers with an important financial lifeline for the next 9 months. The government is setting aside €2.35 billion in employment subsidies under the EWSS which underpins the importance being placed on maintaining current employment levels within the economy. The inclusion of new hires under the scheme will provide welcome support to employers who will look to expand their workforce in the future.Financial Provisions (COVID-19) (No.2) Bill 2020, which was published on 24 July, provides the legislative footing for this new wage support scheme and sets out various details of the scheme, including the employer and employee eligibility criteria; the rates of subsidy payable; and other administrative and operational aspects.How are employers and employees eligible for the new EWSS?Employer EligibilityTo be eligible to participate in the EWSS, the employer must be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Revenue that, they their business have been significantly disrupted by reason of COVID-19. Specifically the employer needs to demonstrate at least a 30% decline (or such other percentage as the Minister for Finance may specify) in either the turnover of the employer’s business or in customer orders received during the period 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2020, as compared to the same period in 2019.In cases where the business of the employee has not operated for the whole of the corresponding period in 2019, the following will apply:Where the business operations have commenced on or before 1 November 2019, the 30% decline test must be determined in 2020 by reference to the same reference period last year in which the business was in operation. For example, if the employer’s business commenced on 1 September 2019, then a 30% decline in the period 1 September 2020-31 December 2020 must arise as compared to 1 September 2019-31 December 2019.Where the business operations have commenced after 1 November 2019, the employer must be able to show that the turnover or customer orders during the period 1 July to 31 December 2020 will be at least 30% less than what the turnover or customer orders would have been had there been no disruption caused by COVID-19.While the introduction of a further wage support scheme is welcomed, the reference period for eligibility of 1 July to 31 December 2020 is likely to be a disappointing condition for many employers who may have suffered significantly as a result of COVID-19 in the first half of 2020 and are now expected to need a further 30% decline in the second half of the year in order to avail of any government wage supports from 1 September. Helpfully, under the new EWSS, there is no requirement for the employer to have to demonstrate an inability to pay wages which caused significant confusion and uncertainty amongst employers under the TWSS.The Bill provides that Revenue will publish guidelines to assist employers in determining whether the reduction in turnover/customer orders will occur by reason of COVID-19 and the disruption that COVID-19 is causing to business.Any employer who is entered in the register established and maintained under the Child Care Act 1991 will be considered eligible for the scheme without having to satisfy the reduction in turnover or customer order tests. This would include pre-schools, play groups, creches and other services catering for pre-school children in addition to creches etc that cater for primary school children. In order to be eligible for the EWSS throughout the entire period, the employer must be entitled to a tax clearance certificate.The Bill requires employers to review their eligibility criteria at the end of each month for July to March 2021. If as a result of the review, it transpires that the employer does not meet the eligibility criteria they should withdraw themselves from the scheme on ROS with effect from the first day of the following month. Eligible EmployeesAny employee who was considered an eligible employee under the existing TWSS provisions will also be considered an eligible employee for the EWSS.The new EWSS extends the definition of eligible employee to now include an individual who is on the payroll of the employer at any time in the “qualifying period” i.e. at any time between 1 July 2020 and 31 March 2021. This does however exclude an individual who is a proprietary director of the company and someone who is connected with the employer (unless such connected person was on the payroll of the employer between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020 and received pay from the employer during that time).Previously, with a small number of limited exceptions, an employee was only considered eligible for the TWSS where they were included on the employer payroll on 29 February 2020.The extension of the EWSS to seasonal workers and new hires is a very welcome development, particularly to those sectors such as hospitality or other seasonal businesses who perhaps were closed in February 2020 or operating at a reduced capacity.  Rates of subsidy payableUnder the EWSS, eligible employers will receive a per-head subsidy on a flat rate basis which will be determined based on the amount of gross pay that the employer pays to the eligible employee as follows:Gross Pay Subsidy Payable&lt;€151.50, €0€151.50 - €202.99 €151.50 per week€203 - €1,462 €203 per week&gt;€1,462 €0The rates payable under the new EWSS have been simplified considerably compared to the rates payable currently under the TWSS. Under the existing TWSS, those employees with gross pay in excess of €960 per week are not eligible for the subsidy. This upper gross pay limit has been increased to €1,462 under the new scheme. However, a lower gross pay limit of €151.50 is now provided for which doesn’t exist under the TWSS. Operational aspects of the EWSSi) Registration for the EWSSThe employer will be required to register for the EWSS in the same way as it would have done for the TWSS. In other words, for those employers who are looking to enter the EWSS, they will be required to login ROS and register by way of declaring that the eligibility criteria are met.  ii) Claiming the EWSSWhile the existing TWSS is considered a payment to the employee (albeit it is administered by the employer), under the new EWSS, the subsidy to be paid to the employer is now more akin to an employment support grant. Under the new scheme, the employer will pay the employee their normal wages and will then receive a subsidy from the Revenue in respect of each eligible employee following submission of the payroll return based on the table set out above.The subsidy will be paid by Revenue to the employer via a bank transfer (as is the case now) within a few days after the employer submitting their payroll return to Revenue for the relevant pay period.  iii) Tax and PRSI positionWhile the Bill is silent on the tax treatment of the subsidy payments, it does provide that employers will be required to operate PRSI on all gross payments to be made to their employees having regard to guidelines to be published by the Revenue.Revenue has confirmed that all gross payments made to employees under the EWSS should be fully liable to PAYE, USC and employee PRSI in the normal way.However, employer PRSI at the reduced rate of 0.5% will apply for employments that are eligible for the subsidy.iv) Interaction with existing TWSSWhere an employer is entitled to receive a subsidy for an employee under the existing TWSS during July and August 2020, the employer shall not also be entitled to claim a subsidy under the EWSS in respect of the same employee. Revenue has confirmed that from 31 July, employers currently availing of the existing TWSS can claim the new EWSS in respect of new hires.From 31 July 2020, those employers who have not previously availed of the TWSS, will only be eligible to apply for the new EWSS (assuming the various eligibility criteria are met).v) PublicationAs was the case for the TWSS, the names and addresses of all employers who receive a wage subsidy payment under the new EWSS will be published on revenue.ie. vi) Anti-avoidanceThe Bill includes a specific anti-avoidance provision which seeks to counteract contrived situations whereby any gross pay due to an employee is deferred, suspended, increased or decreased with a view to securing the wage subsidy or situations where an employee is laid off and removed from the payroll and replaced with two or more employees in relation for whom the subsidy would be available. If Revenue identify any such cases, the employer will be treated as having never been eligible for the scheme and any subsidy payments received would need to be refunded, together with possible interest and penalties.Source; KMPGNEW UPDATES WILL FOLLOW

UPDATE: Directors and Owners back on Wage Subsidy Scheme

As the Government today launched the €7.4 billion Jobs Stimulus to help businesses re-open, get people back to work and promote confidence, here’s just a few of the highlights and details<ul><li>A new Employment Wage Support Scheme will succeed the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, and run until April 2021. Employers, whose turnover has fallen 30%, will receive a flat rate subsidy of up to €203 per week per employee including for seasonal staff and new employees. New firms operating in impacted sectors will also be eligible. The Scheme is expected to support around 350,000 jobs into the beginning of 2021.</li></ul><ul><li>Vat Rate to be cut from 23% to 21% - effective beginning September</li></ul><ul><li>There will be a new income tax relief for self-employed individuals who were profitable in 2019 but, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, incur losses in 2020.</li></ul><ul><li>Subsidies of up to €7500 over two years will be available for employers to hire someone under the age of 30 who is on the Live Register or the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.</li></ul><ul><li>The Apprentice Incentivisation Scheme will provide a €2000 payment to support employers to take on new apprenticeships in 2020.</li></ul><ul><li>The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance and Back to Education Allowance will be extended to people currently in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.</li></ul><ul><li>The Restart Grant for Enterprises is being extended to a broader base of SMEs and expanded by €300 million. The payment level is being increased to €25,000. Further payments may be available to firms which have already received them. Some businesses, such as B&amp;Bs, not previously included in the scheme, will now be eligible.</li></ul><ul><li>A package of liquidity and enterprise investment measures worth €55 million will be put in place to support small and micro companies through additional resources for MicroFinance Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices. This will include measures to reduce interest rates on lending for micro and small businesses, including grants equivalent to 0% interest on the first year of SBCI and MFI loans.</li></ul><ul><li>Waiver of commercial rates - With limited exceptions, all businesses will be granted a waiver of commercial rates for the six months to end-September 2020, at a total cost of €600 million.</li></ul><ul><li>Additional resources for MicroFinance Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices - </li>A package of liquidity and enterprise investment measures worth €55 million will be put in place to support small and micro companies through additional resources for MicroFinance Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices.This will include measures to reduce interest rates on lending for micro and small businesses, including grants equivalent to 0% interest on the first year of SBCI and MFI loans.</ul><ul><li>An increased allowable expenditure under the “Cycle to Work” scheme from €1000 to €1500 in respect of ‘ebikes’ and €1250 in respect of other bicycles will be introduced.</li></ul><ul><li>35,000 additional places in further and higher education. These will be delivered through a variety of measures including Skills to Compete Initiative (SOLAS), Skillnet, Springboard+ and the Human Capital Initiative, as well as through additional undergraduate and postgraduate provision in the Higher Educational Institutions.</li></ul><ul><li>A Retrofit Skills Training Initiative will support future expansion of the National Retrofitting Programme.</li></ul><ul><li>The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance and Back to Education Allowance will be extended to people currently in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment</li></ul><ul><li>The Pandemic Unemployment Payment, due to end in August 2020, is being extended by 7 months until 1 April 2021, giving those on emergency income support greater security as the country recovers and job opportunities return. Between now and April, there will be a gradual reduction in payment level, linked to previous incomes, bringing payments in line with existing social welfare levels over time.</li>The scheme will close to new claimants from Thursday 17 September 2020.</ul>Read the full details of the July Stimulus and get access to the full press release here;<a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/5654a-july-jobs-stimulus/" target="_blank">https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/5654a-july-jobs-stimulus/</a>

€7.4 billion Jobs Stimulus Details

Hiring managers are now turning to virtual interviews as the way forward through the Coronavirus pandemic. With that in mind, we have put together our best tips to ensure you successfully master the art of video and audio interviews.<h2>1. Trial Run</h2>Do a trial run the day before your interview! There is already enough on your plate without having to deal with any technical glitches when its showtime If possible, set up the video platform that will be used for your interview. Having it set up means you won&#x27;t have to download or update any software beforehand. If it’s not possible, do your trial run using Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet (Formerly Google Hangout).<h2>2. Practice with a friend or family member - and record it</h2>Zoom and Skype allow you to record video calls - making it a powerful tool for interview preparation. Answering common interview questions with a friend through video will help you improve your performance come game day. Recording the practice interview will help you iron out any potential issues. Learn how to record your practice interview:<ul><li><a href="https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362473-Local-recording" target="_blank">Zoom - click here</a></li><li><a href="https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA12395/how-do-i-record-my-skype-calls" target="_blank">Skype - click here</a></li><li><a href="https://support.google.com/meet/answer/9308681?product_name=UnuFlow&amp;hl=en&amp;visit_id=637345457165921694-955258443&amp;rd=1&amp;src=supportwidget1" target="_blank">Google Meet - click here</a></li></ul><a href="https://support.google.com/meet/answer/9308681?product_name=UnuFlow&amp;hl=en&amp;visit_id=637345457165921694-955258443&amp;rd=1&amp;src=supportwidget1" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA12395/how-do-i-record-my-skype-calls" target="_blank"></a>FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT! So here is a checklist to ensure you leave a great first impression with the interviewer:• Check that microphone and webcam are working properly - test them as if you were talking in the interview. • How is the audio, video quality and lighting?• Avoid swiveling in your chair - can be distracting! • Get as much light into the room as possible.• Check your eye line: Have your camera at eye level. Don&#x27;t have a laptop on your lap - put a few books underneath your laptop to get the right angle - and while talking look directly into the camera. Stop looking at yourself.• In case of emergency know where the mute buttons are on the video platform • Make sure your laptop is plugged in• Internet connection: During the interview, if you’re worried about your internet connection, test using your phone data and see if that&#x27;s quicker, or ask the people in your house to turn off their wifi during the interview, or connect straight to your modem to avoid any interruption. • Background - Ensure it’s tidy and not distracting. If you’re concerned about your background - Zoom, Skype and Google Hangout have options to create a virtual background. So you can choose a nice professional backdrop to use. Links below this video on how you can set up your virtual backdrops. • <a href="https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/210707503-Virtual-Background" target="_blank">Zoom - Click here</a>• <a href="https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA34896/how-do-i-customize-my-background-for-skype-video-calls" target="_blank">Skype - Click here</a>• Google Meet - Click here<h2>3. Cheatsheet</h2>The interviewer won’t see outside of the camera view so use this to your advantage. We advise writing out your answers for the most common questions in script format, then breaking them into bullet points. You can then have the bullet points on a second screen, or write them on post-it notes and attach them to the side of your laptop. You can also write out notes on your achievements, or questions you wanna ask. QUICK TIP: AVOID switching from tab to tab on your laptop during the video interview. The light on your face from the laptop may change and it will be noticeable by the interviewer.<h2>4. Dress the part </h2>Even if it’s just an audio interview always dress the part and not only from the waist up - ensure you are fully professionally dressed. This will allow you to create a professional mind-set. <h2>5. Posture</h2>Sit up straight with your shoulders back. If it’s a phone interview – standing up will promote voice projection.<h2>6. Record your interview </h2>It’s important to also record the actual interview. Analysing your performance will allow you to course-correct for the next interview. You will be able to see the interview from the hiring manager’s view and address any issues. Before starting, simply say “Do you mind if I record the interview for my own analysis?”. This shows the employer you&#x27;re a true professional who strives for excellence! <h2>7. Avoiding interruptions</h2>Distractions take the attention away from you - and leave a bad first impression! Here’s how to avoid being interrupted during your video interview:• Give everyone a heads up in your home that you need peace and space until your interview is completed. Make sure the dog can’t burst in mid-interview!• Avoid interruptions and poor speed performance on your machine by closing down all programs on your laptop• Put your phone on silent• Ensure you have the interviewer’s phone number if the connection gets lost• Wearing earphones/air pods will help eliminate any background noise• Check the timezone if you’re interviewing for remote work• Close windows<h2>8. Ask questions</h2>Prepare questions you would like to ask the interviewer – it’s important to listen throughout the interview so you only ask questions on topics that weren’t already covered. Have a pen and paper near you to take down any queries you may have. Great questions to ask the interviewer:• Can you tell me who the most successful person is that you&#x27;ve hired - and what did they do to become so successful? This question will give you clues on what it&#x27;s like to work for this manager. • How will my performance be measured? A great question to find out what you&#x27;ll need to do in order to become a top performer at the company. • What do the day-to-day responsibilities of this role look like? Ask this question so you&#x27;re crystal clear on what the role entails. • What is the most challenging aspect of this role? The interviewer&#x27;s answer will give you a heads up on the toughest aspects of the job.• What’s your favorite part about working for this company? Carefully listen, and the interviewer will reveal a lot about working here.• Are there professional development opportunities in this role? Nobody wants to stagnate - find out if this is a company where you can achieve your long term goals • Is there anything about my experience that makes you question if I&#x27;m a good fit for this job? This is a superb question that gives you the opportunity to address any concerns the hiring manager may have. <h2>9. Say Cheese</h2>For audio/phone interviews - SMILE! As the saying goes, smiles can be heard. This is a reminder to smile as you talk. For audio/phone interviews - SMILE! As the saying goes, smiles can be heard. This is a reminder to smile as you talk.<h2>10. Silence is Golden</h2>Embrace the silence! After you&#x27;ve given your answer don&#x27;t feel the need to fill the chit chat. There can sometimes be a lag, or the interviewer could be taking notes. So enjoy that peace while you can!<h2>11. If you make a mistake, don&#x27;t sweat it</h2>Recovering from a rambling answer will make you look good! If you realise you have been harping on, take a pause and a deep breath and acknowledge the situation. Here’s a line you can use to help recover: &quot;Sorry I am caught in the weeds here! I apologise for letting my nerves get a hold of me, would you mind if I restart my answer?&quot;.<h2>12. Thank you email</h2>Thank the interviewer for taking the time and send a ‘thank you’ email later in the day. Not many candidates will do this - it will give you a competitive edge! Here is a template that you can use for this exercise:Email subject line: Thanks [Interviewer’s Name]Hi [Interviewer’s Name],Thanks so much for your time today. It was a real pleasure to learn more about the team and [insert job title] position. I’m excited at the prospect of joining the [insert company name] team to help [insert what you would be doing in the job, e.g. bring in new customers, expand operations, manage a team, etc.].  I had a think about what you said on [mention a problem or challenges that the interviewer mentioned they’re currently facing]. Within my role as [relevant job position you held/have], I discovered that [explain how you solved or approached a similar problem during your own work experience].  As your new [mention the position you’re applying for], I am certain my experience will allow me to achieve similar results at [insert company name].I look forward to hearing from you about the next steps in the hiring process.Feel free to get in touch if you need me to provide any additional information. Warm regards,[Your Name]<h2>13. Structure for answering questions</h2>Have example situations from your work experience that highlight your key skills and personality traits related to the job. Once you&#x27;ve discussed you&#x27;re relevant unique skills that led to past success, end your answer by referencing how your experience will allow you to achieve similar results for the hiring company in the future<h2>14. Research the company and job description</h2>The more you learn about the company and the job requirements, the greater understanding you will have of their needs. During your video interview, you can speak directly about how you can find solutions to their biggest problems. <h2>15. Be genuine</h2>The strongest signal you can give to the interviewer, that requires no expertise or knowledge, is genuineness. Sensing dishonesty is the worst possible signal you can give to the interviewer. You have to show the interviewer genuinely what you value, what interests you, what excites you. Similar to getting into a relationship, you don&#x27;t want to lie at the beginning just so they love you, only after you have fed them bullshit. Eventually, you will be found out. <h2>16. Practice, Practice, Practice</h2>Interviewing is a skill! The more you practice, the more confirmable you will be in an interview environment, making it more likely that you&#x27;ll land the job. -Best of luck with your interview! Need help putting together your CV and Cover Letter? <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/how-to-write-a-cv-step-by-step-guide-template" target="_blank">Check out our step by step guides here </a>which include free templates to download and sample information for each and every section of your CV and cover letter.To receive daily alerts for jobs available in your area create a jobseeker account in just a couple of clicks. Get started <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/create-account/jobseeker" target="_blank">here. </a>

COVID Pandemic Unemployment Payments to Stop unless eligibility confirmed

There was a lovely sense of joy today as many more businesses opened their doors for the very first time since COVID-19 lockdown.Pints were pulled, food served to tables, hair roots and silver streaks covered and many childcare facilities welcomed their little ones back again.Hotels opened up their bedrooms and resident bars, as they waited for guests to arrive.While business life is very different than before for everyone, there&#x27;s no doubt that many business owners and employees were delighted to return.Business plans have also changed, right now most businesses are aiming to just get back on track - in as much as they possibly can. They will be happy to just break even by the end of their financial year.At JobAlert.ie we want to wish every business both large and small the very best of success. Please support local people and try and be as patient as possible as businesses try to get used to their new norm.Employers, if you need staff please contact us;Website; <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/employers" target="_blank">https://www.jobalert.ie/employers</a>Phone; 01 8495003Email; info@jobalert.ie

Customers Wanted, Apply Within

This powerful initiative brings together business, makers, creativity and communities to help our country emerge stronger.Play your part - pledge your support for local today at <a href="www.championgreen.ie" target="_blank">championgreen.ie</a>. Support local to lift us all.If you need help Advertising Jobs please check out <a href="www.jobalert.ie" target="_blank">www.jobalert.ie</a> Ireland&#x27;s #1 Irish owned Jobs boardThank youHow you can participate in #Champion Green<h2>Take the Pledge</h2>The Champion Green Pledge is a commitment to support local to help our communities recover.It is individuals, consumers, businesses, craftspeople, artists, community groups and organisations uniting to consciously support local in order to reboot Ireland’s economic and social wellbeing.Our country and communities have endured a huge shock, but if we lift each other, we all will rise.#ChampionGreen<h2>How it Works</h2>As a Champion Green supporter you pledge to supporting local whenever possible.As a Champion Green Business or Organisation or Community Group seeking a sustainable recovery, you pledge to support local whenever possible, paying forward the benefit you get from Champion Green support.Once you take the pledge, you will get full access to the Champion Green toolkit. You can use the toolkit content wherever you do business – online, on social media or in your shop or workplace.About JobAlert.ie Ireland&#x27;s #1 Irish owned Jobs boardTechnology has changed the way jobseekers find work and how recruiters engage with them.At JobAlert.ie, we are using the very latest technologies to change the face of job advertising by reaching jobseekers directly through social media. This allows us to reach both active and passive highly qualified jobseekers in an easy, accessible and affordable way.By passive we mean those potential candidates who may not be actively looking for a new job, but if they see an opportunity in their social media newsfeeds they will apply. This can make a massive difference, particularly for those hard to fill vacancies.We have over 400,000 followers on social media, segmented by county and we also have over half a million website visitors each month. Thousands of jobseekers have signed up to our ‘JobAlert’ on line system, where they are notified about roles that meet their selected criteria.We ensure that businesses of all sizes can attract the best talent. All you have to do is upload the details of your vacancy to our website and our system does the rest.So what can you expect when you advertise with JobAlert.ie?- Your job spec is reviewed- An eye catching unique graphic is automatically produced- A digital marketing campaign begins for each Job Ad- It is shared multiple times to relevant audiences on social media during- ‘JobAlert’ notifications are sent to candidates who have registered for your specific job type.- Applicants can be reviewed, manage and responded to quickly using our inbuilt applicant tracking system.- We provide full integration if you have a careers page applicant tracking system.The great news is that Ads cost just €149 each, there are no hidden fees or yearly contracts. For clients that advertise regularly we also have scaled rates available.Contact us today at 01 8495003 to have a chat, we&#x27;d be delighted to hear from you.

#We pledge to #SupportLocal and #ChampionGreen. Will you?

Joy as hairdressers, hotels and B&amp;Bs and small gatherings for summer weddings are expected to get the go-ahead for the end of June. Many people will be thrilled to hear that they can finally ditch the root sprays and go on a little break away.Couples whose wedding plans were put on hold will also be relieved to know they can have a small gathering if they like, but it could be disappointing for some that may have already cancelled all their plans. Cinemas and theatres are also being reviewed and restaurants and pubs that serve food will also be back in business. Other Pubs that don&#x27;t serve food will not open until July.If you need staff please let us know, we would be delighted to help you. If you are a jobseeker, register on our website to receive &#x27;JobAlerts&#x27;, we&#x27;ll help you to find your ideal job.About JobAlert.ieAt JobAlert.ie we use the very latest technologies to reach jobseekers directly through social media. This allows you to engage with both active and passive highly qualified jobseekers in an easy, accessible and affordable way. By passive we mean those potential candidates who may not be actively looking for a new job, but if they see an opportunity in their social media newsfeeds they will apply. This can make a massive difference, particularly for those hard to fill vacancies.We have over 400,000 followers on social media, segmented by county and we also have over half a million website visitors each month. Thousands of jobseekers have signed up to our ‘JobAlert’ on line system, where they are notified about roles that meet their selected criteria.We ensure that businesses of all sizes can attract the best talent. All you have to do is upload the details of your vacancy to our website and our system does the rest.What you can you expect when you advertise with JobAlert.ie- Your job spec is reviewed and we’ll make some suggested changes based on our experience, if you like.- An eye catching unique graphic is automatically produced for use on social media.- Each Job Ad stays live on our website for 30 days.- A digital marketing campaign begins for each Job Ad, as it is shared to relevant audiences on social media during peak traffic hours to ensure maximum exposure.- Ads are automatically monitored and pushed on social media multiple times if additional CVs are required. - ‘JobAlert’ notifications are sent to candidates who have registered for your specific job type.- You can review, manage and respond quickly to candidates by logging into your JobAlert.ie account and using our inbuilt applicant tracking system.- You will be assigned a dedicated Account Manager who is highly specialised in recruitment and digital marketing.- You will successfully fill your vacancies!There are no hidden fees or yearly contracts, Job Ads are just €149 + Vat and for clients that advertise regularly we also have scaled rates available.We pride ourselves on our follow up service, but don’t just take our word for it, you can read some recent testimonials on our website <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/employers?openTestimonies=true&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=news&amp;utm_campaign=Ad%20Costs#testimonies" target="_blank">here</a>, they sell our service much better than we can.If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to check out <a href="www.jobalert.ie" target="_blank">www.jobalert.ie</a> or give us a call on 01 8495003.

Hairdressers, Hotels and B&Bs set to open end of June

Interesting statistics released this week, show that over 33,000 people have closed their claim for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment in the last week, bringing the number of people who signed off it so far to 108,000. The top 3 sectors in which people returned to work were, 7700 in the Wholesale, Retail Trade &amp; Motor Repairs industry, 5,300 in Construction, 2,500 in Manufacturing and a further 2,400 employees in Accommodation and Food Service activities.In relation to Enhanced Illness Benefit that was introduced for people who have either been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who had symptoms and had to self-isolate, over 11,700 were in the Human Health &amp; Social Work sector, followed by 10,800 in the Wholesale and Retail Trade and 6,800 in Manufacturing.The COVID-19 payments have been extended until end of August and the Government has urged people to sign off when they are offered their jobs back. The easiest way to close a claim for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is online via <a href="www.mywelfare.ie" target="_blank">www.mywelfare.ie</a> . Any worker returning to work with an enquiry about closing their claim, can contact the department’s dedicated income support helpline at 1890 800 024 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm).The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection are continuing to carry out checks to ensure that claims are valid.Full Details can be found below in the Official Department Release Update on payments awarded for COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and Enhanced Illness BenefitDate: 15 June 2020The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection issued payments valued at €174.6 million to 498,700 people in respect of their application for the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). Taking the 517,600 who were paid last week, this represents a decrease of 18,900 on the number of people paid last week. Since last week’s payment, 33,000 people have closed their claim for a Pandemic Unemployment Payment. Of these, 21,900 will be receiving their last payment tomorrow. As well as those availing of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, there are now over 60,600 employers who have registered with the Revenue Commissioners for the Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) with at least one subsidy being paid in respect of over 532,000 people under that scheme since it began. An estimated 400,000 employees are currently being supported by the scheme having received a subsidy in their most recent pay period. The above payments are in addition to the 225,600 people who were reported on the Live Register as of the end of May. Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty today said:“The numbers receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment continue to gradually decline – with the total now dropping below the 500,000 mark. Only a few short weeks ago, there were approximately 600,000 receiving the payment so some progress has been made, but it is also clear that the return to a new normal will be gradual and incremental. That is why I extended the payment beyond its originally planned life cycle into August. My department will continue to monitor the rate of the economy’s reopening, the continuing need for income support and the developing health situation and will develop a number of options for Government to consider before the scheme’s projected end in August.” People returning to workLast week, some 33,000 people closed their claim for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment of which 27,600 reported that they were returning to work. Of those 27,600 returning to work, approx. 21,900 are receiving their last payment this week. As the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is a weekly payment paid in arrears, there can be a one week lag in how closures, due to people returning to work, are reflected in the payment data. The 21,900 individuals who closed their claim as they return to work are eligible for a final payment, as they were unemployed in the week for which this payment is due. The top three sectors in which employees are returning to work this week are Wholesale and Retail Trade, Repair of Motor Vehicles and motorcycles with 7,700 back in work, while 5,300 have returned to the Construction sector and 2,500 have returned to their jobs in Manufacturing. A further 2,400 employees are returning to Accommodation and Food Service activities. A full breakdown of the sectors is set out at Appendix 6 below. Looking at the age profile of employees returning to work this week, the largest cohort are those aged 35-44 with 7,100 returning (up from 6,200 last week). There are 5,500 employees aged 25-34 returning this week, up 500 on last week while 4,600 people under 25 are returning to their jobs this week which is up 1,000 on last week. Full details are available at Appendix 7.With the government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business now in Phase Two, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is instructing workers who are returning to work that they must close their claim for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). In order to ensure that their claim is processed correctly, workers who will be returning to work must close their claim for the PUP payment on the actual date that they start back at work. Since the commencement of Phase One of the government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, some 108,000 employees have closed their claims and returned to work. The easiest way to close a claim for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is online via <a href="www.mywelfare.ie" target="_blank">www.mywelfare.ie</a> . Any worker returning to work with an enquiry about closing their claim, can contact the department’s dedicated income support helpline at 1890 800 024 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm). COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment ChecksAs is the case, for all social welfare schemes, the department conducts a series of pre and post payment checks for the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, including:• integrity checks made against records already held by the department including Public Service Information data and cross checks with payments on other schemes. These help to verify if a person is who they claim to be and that they are entitled to claim payment• a reconciliation process between the department’s payment file and Revenue’s payment file for the COVID-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme• a prior employment status check by comparing all claims for PUP against prior earnings and employment records from Revenue data• as with other welfare schemes, the department contacts recipients to ensure that they continue to satisfy the eligibility criteria of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment• data analytics• the department’s inspection staff participating with Garda and Customs staff, in security checks on major transport routes and transport hubsTemporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy SchemeThere are now over 60,600 employers who have registered with the Revenue Commissioners for the Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS). Workers whose employers have registered them on the scheme are not eligible to receive a pandemic unemployment payment. In addition workers who were in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment but who have now been registered by their employers on the TWSS are no longer eligible to receive a payment pandemic unemployment payment.COVID-19 Enhanced Illness Benefit PaymentThere are now 51,300 people up to age 66 who have been medically certified for receipt of the COVID-19 enhanced Illness Benefit. Approx. 7% (3,627) have been diagnosed with COVID-19 while 93% (47,673) were required to medically self-isolate.Since the beginning of June, 48 people have applied for Illness Benefit as they have been medically certified with having COVID-19 while 452 have applied because they are medically self-isolating.The sector the largest number of employees in receipt of COVID-19 Illness Benefit is the Human Health and Social Work sector (11,700), followed by Wholesale and Retail Trade (10,800) and Manufacturing (6,800). Full details are at Appendices 8, 9 and 10 below.The department wishes to thank its customers for submitting the majority of applications through our online portal <a href="www.mywelfare.ie" target="_blank">www.MyWelfare.ie</a>. This is the quickest and easiest way to submit an application and enables the department to allocate resources to contacting those who submitted invalid applications.Individuals can close their COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment online at <a href="www.mywelfare.ie" target="_blank">www.MyWelfare.ie</a>.In the interests of the public health advice and the restrictions on movements please if at all possible do not attend your local Intreo Centre as opening hours have now been restricted. Instead please apply through <a href="www.mywelfare.ie" target="_blank">www.MyWelfare.ie</a>. Further Information on statistics available;Analysis of Pandemic Unemployment Payments by CountyPandemic Unemployment Payments by SectorPandemic Unemployment Payments by Age ProfileAnalysis of People who Closed their PUP Claim to Return to WorkAnalysis of Closed Pandemic Unemployment Payments by SectorAnalysis of Closed Pandemic Unemployment Payments Age ProfileEnhanced Illness Benefit Payments by CountyEnhanced Illness Benefit Payments by SectorEnhanced Illness Benefit Payments Age Profile See the details <a href="https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/eed4f-update-on-payments-awarded-for-covid-19-pandemic-unemployment-payment-and-enhanced-illness-benefit/" target="_blank">HERE</a>

Over 100,000 sign off the Pandemic Unemployment Payment

The world has changed in ways we could never have imagined. But despite everything, one thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment and passion to supporting our customers and jobseekers. Throughout lockdown we worked hard to support businesses that were still open and hiring, and we paused Ads for those that were closed. We also issued free Ads, so that these business can continue recruiting when it’s safe for them to reopen. We ran free Ads for the &quot;Be on Call for Ireland&quot; campaign for frontline workers and provided support and information for workers and employers that were negatively impacted during lockdown.Moving forward, we will be there for you all the way, enabling you to quickly and cost effectively fill your vacancies using the very latest technologies.If you need staff please let us know, we would be delighted to help you. If you are a jobseeker, register on our website to receive &#x27;JobAlerts&#x27;, we&#x27;ll help you to find your ideal job.About JobAlert.ieAt JobAlert.ie we use the very latest technologies to reach jobseekers directly through social media. This allows you to engage with both active and passive highly qualified jobseekers in an easy, accessible and affordable way. By passive we mean those potential candidates who may not be actively looking for a new job, but if they see an opportunity in their social media newsfeeds they will apply. This can make a massive difference, particularly for those hard to fill vacancies.We have over 400,000 followers on social media, segmented by county and we also have over half a million website visitors each month. Thousands of jobseekers have signed up to our ‘JobAlert’ on line system, where they are notified about roles that meet their selected criteria.We ensure that businesses of all sizes can attract the best talent. All you have to do is upload the details of your vacancy to our website and our system does the rest. What you can you expect when you advertise with JobAlert.ie- Your job spec is reviewed and we’ll make some suggested changes based on our experience, if you like.- An eye catching unique graphic is automatically produced for use on social media.- Each Job Ad stays live on our website for 30 days.- A digital marketing campaign begins for each Job Ad, as it is shared to relevant audiences on social media during peak traffic hours to ensure maximum exposure. - Ads are automatically monitored and pushed on social media multiple times if additional CVs are required.  - ‘JobAlert’ notifications are sent to candidates who have registered for your specific job type.- You can review, manage and respond quickly to candidates by logging into your JobAlert.ie account and using our inbuilt applicant tracking system.- You will be assigned a dedicated Account Manager who is highly specialised in recruitment and digital marketing.- You will successfully fill your vacancies!There are no hidden fees or yearly contracts, Job Ads are just €149 + Vat and for clients that advertise regularly we also have scaled rates available.We pride ourselves on our follow up service, but don’t just take our word for it, you can read some recent testimonials on our website <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/employers?openTestimonies=true&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=news&amp;utm_campaign=Ad%20Costs#testimonies" target="_blank">here</a>, they sell our service much better than we can.If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to check out www.jobalert.ie or give us a call on 01 8495003.

Covid-19 How we Responded

The COVID-19 situation has been a wake up call. Many of us have been riding a momentum wave for so long that we never had a chance to stop, take a step back, and ask ourselves - what do I really want to do with my life?These strange times are an opportunity to reassess and decide if you want to keep going on the same path as before, or do you want to embark on an entirely new journey. We can&#x27;t tell you what you should do, but we can offer you guidance if you’re thinking about making a career change. <h2>1. Start with why</h2>If you&#x27;ve outgrown or have begun hating your job or the industry you’ve worked in, ask yourself why - why do you dislike it so much? Without asking yourself this question you risk ending up in a different career, that you end up hating again. Be clear on your why - Ask yourself:• Why do I want to do this?• Why do I think a new career will improve my life?• Do I just need to find a new job?If you’re still working, keep a daily journal to help you pinpoint exactly what it is you dislike about your job. Note down all the issues - is it the actual work itself, the people you work with, company culture or the industry?<img src="https://jobalert-blog-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/image/222212.jpg11.jpg" alt="222212 Jpg 11 Jpg" style="max-width:calc(100% - 1.6rem);margin:1.6rem 0.8rem 2.4rem"/><h2>2. What do you want to do?</h2>Identifying what your passion and purpose is in life can lead to some groundbreaking discoveries on where to take your career. Learning what you enjoy outside of work is a great starting point as you can turn your passion into a new career. To help you get started have a <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/blog/how-to-find-your-passion-and-build-a-career-around-it" target="_blank">read of our guide on how to find your passion and build a career around it.  </a><h2>3. Research</h2>Before making any drastic decisions like packing in your job, do some research to discover if the new role you have in mind is a good fit. Talk to people in the job or industry you’re considering moving to. LinkedIn is a great place to start - connect with professionals working in the space and see what trends you can spot from their feedback. Talking to people who have been there and worn the t-shirt will allow you to make more informed decisions which will greatly minimise the risk of choosing a job that won’t work for you. Test the waters Try out different career options to see what job is right for you. The important thing here is to get ideas for what you like and dislike. This process of dipping your toes in many different career paths allows you to cross off potential possibilities so they don’t remain unknowns in your mind.This exercise can be performed whether you’re in a job or not. So if you’re currently employed it reduces any risk while testing ideas to help discover what you really want to do.Some ideas to get started:• Enroll in a course• If you have a friend, family member, or connection in an interesting role - see can you shadow them for a day and get a taste for the job• See can you work as a freelancer for the role you have in mind• Seek volunteer work that is closely related to the job or industry you want to move toIf you need inspiration on this process of discovery, have a read of <a href="https://www.careershifters.org/expert-advice/how-to-change-career-when-you-have-no-idea-what-youre-doing" target="_blank">Richard Alderson’s story</a> on how he made the move from a role he hated to finding the job he loved. <h2>4. Setting up a plan of action</h2>Start thinking about your end goal and an ideal timeline.Once you have a date, break it down into the major milestones you will need to accomplish which will include:• The skills you need to acquire• The people you need to network with• What you need to take care of in your current job• Personal matters which include finances (More info on this to follow below)Once you have the major steps outlined, break them down into daily and weekly actions so you know exactly what to do to reach each milestone. The smallest steps you take will build momentum, give you confidence and help you realise that this new career is very possible. Track: Ensure that you track your efforts when you begin implementing your plan of action. A simple Excel sheet or Google sheet will allow you to set reminders and follow up actions you need to complete.  An important point to consider when taking action: Can you build your chosen career on the side while continuing to work your current job? Test it out and see how it goes. Set aside 30 - 60 minutes a day to get the ball rolling. The likelihood is that you may need to stick with your current job or at least pick up a part-time job until you&#x27;ve acquired the right skills or qualifications to make a career move. Patience is key here so take your time, build everything slowly and stick to your plan relentlessly. Financial considerationsFind out how much money you need to earn to live on.Start doing an audit of what you currently spend in a single month and see what cutbacks you can make to begin saving money. It’s a very interesting exercise to actually see the amount of money you need each month to make ends meet. You will be surprised when you strip away all of the non-essential items. Here’s why this figure will help with your plan:<ul><li>If you want to quit your job or you’re unemployed right now, perhaps a part-time job will cover your monthly expenses while you begin building your passion into a career or while you’re spending time upskilling.</li></ul><ul><li>If you have any savings this monthly figure will help you plan ahead and see how many weeks/months you could spend working on your new career while not having any income, if you do decide to quit your job.</li></ul>Salary considerations If you want to move to a completely new field you may have to take an entry-level position. To find out how much you could be potentially earning from the get-go: • Search for related job vacancies online and see what salary ranges are commonly listed• <a href="https://www.payscale.com/" target="_blank">Payscale.com</a> may also help you find the average salary• Network on LinkedIn and talk to people in the spaceSelf-employed routeIf you plan on going out on your own there is a safety net available. If you’re not earning any income the Jobseeker&#x27;s Benefit (Self-Employed) is available to keep you afloat until you begin making money. More information on the <a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/unemployed_people/jobseekers_benefit_self_employed.html" target="_blank">Self-Employed Jobseeker’s Benefit here.</a><h2>5. Tips for applying for jobs in your ‘dream’ field</h2>There are a number of strategies you can use to apply for roles where you don’t have traditional experience. The focus should be on your transferable skills - skills that can be transferred from one job to another. These are skills you’ve already obtained - examples include communication, leadership, organisation - and these skills can be applicable to your new career. If you feel you need to bump up your transferable skills in order to land your preferred job, you could consider looking at internship programmes or perhaps a volunteering role may tie into the new industry you seek to move into. See if there are any opportunities to volunteer in your local area. Also If you’re returning to the workforce, listing volunteer experience on your CV shows the employer you were actively developing new skills during your time off.Include any transferable skills in your CV when describing volunteer experience. For example:Volunteering at the local homeless shelter, serving food and preparing clean bedding for 40 people. Helped organise a marketing campaign on social media to promote awareness, allowing me to develop my digital marketing skills.  The transferable skills that stand out here are organisation, communication, while the hard skills listed are digital marketing and social media marketing. Transferable skills - Hobbies and interests We recommend including hobbies and interest in your CV because it’s yet another opportunity to show off those fantastic transferable skills of yours. ‘Playing chess’ Can become ‘I enjoy playing chess, and I contribute tutorial videos regularly to an online community chess club.’Help with your CV, Cover Letter, and advice on transferable skills Finally, if you need any help putting together your CV and Cover Letter have a look at our <a href="https://www.jobalert.ie/article/how-to-write-a-cv-step-by-step-guide-template" target="_blank">step-by-step guide here</a> which includes free templates to download with guidelines from start to finish.If there was ever a time to make a career change or to plan one out, it would be now. We wish you the very best of luck on your journey.

How to make a career change

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