![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/2.52850173.jpg\")
More than half a million people are receiving the emergency Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment.<\/p>\nMore than half a million people are receiving the emergency Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment.<\/p>\n
Some 591,000 people are now in receipt of the \u20ac350 weekly payment, up from 584,000 this time last week.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a briefing in Dublin on Monday, senior Government official Liz Canavan said approximately 2,600 people have yet to receive the payment because they entered the incorrect bank details or PPS number.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cThe number of people applying online for payments is increasing and going online is the most efficient way of making a submission.\u201d<\/p>\n
More than 49,400 employers are now registered with the Government\u2019s Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS).<\/p>\n
Under the scheme, the Government pays 70% of the normal take-home pay for workers earning under \u20ac38,000 up to a maximum of \u20ac410 per week.<\/p>\n
To qualify for TWSS a business must be able to show that it has lost at least 25% of its turnover and is unable to pay normal wages and outgoings.<\/p>\n
Ms Canavan said more than 347,000 employees have now received a payment under the scheme.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cumulative value of payments made to employers under the scheme is now \u20ac556m,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the wage subsidy scheme and the pandemic payment may be extended if the restrictions have to stay in place.<\/p>\n