The Government has announced the extension of a Covid-19 illness benefit from the end of June until the end of September 2022.
The Enhanced Illness Benefit was introduced at the start of the pandemic as a payment for employees and self-employed people diagnosed with Covid-19.
It is paid at the weekly rate of €350 and it is paid from the first day of illness. To date, more than 516,000 people have been medically certified for receipt of a Covid-19 related Illness Benefit payment and the total amount paid out is €313 million.
As of this morning, there are 3,911 people receiving the payment. "As we're currently experiencing an increase in the number of people being diagnosed with Covid-19 in our communities, my Government colleagues and I want to ensure that this financial support continues to be available to these workers, should they contract the virus," said Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys.