The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has introduced major changes to provide income support to those affected by COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

In order to keep the number of people affected by COVID-19 to a minimum and reduce extra pressure on the health service, the government has taken the following steps:

  • The current six day waiting period for Illness Benefit will not apply to anyone with COVID-19 or anyone in medically-required self-isolation
  • The personal rate of Illness Benefit will increase from €203 per week to €305 per week for a maximum period of two weeks of medically certified self-isolation, or for the duration of a person's medically-certified absence from work due to COVID-19 diagnoses
  • Removal of the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance in respect of medically certified cases of self-isolation
  • Those that are self-employed will be allowed to receive their Illness Benefit or non-means tested supplementary welfare allowance

For more information, please see the updated from the Department of Social Protection here.

For more information on Ireland’s payroll system, explore activpayroll’s Global Insight Guide to Ireland.

By scaling, streamlining, or ensuring your people are taken care of, we bring absolute clarity to your global business.

Latest news & insights

 
September 10, 2026 | 3 minute read

Ireland Budget 2027: Explore potential Income Tax, USC, PRSI and social welfare changes and what they could...

 
September 8, 2026 | 6 minute read

Explore how payroll has evolved from manual processes to automation and AI, with insights from activpayroll...

 
September 1, 2026 | 3 minute read

Prepare for South Africa's 2026 Interim Reconciliation with essential dates and updated payroll requirements...

Talk to a specialist today and find out how we support the growth of over 500 businesses with a range of activpayroll solutions designed to help your global payroll and people operations succeed.