It's to help curb the spread of Coronavirus.
"Celbridge St Patrick's Day Parade 2009" by Yokospungeon is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
All St Patrick's Day festivities across the country have been cancelled in response to the outbreak of the Coronavirus.
The government has announced a package of €3 billion to support the HSE, workers who have to take sick leave and businesses hit by the spread of COVID-19.
Many of the resources that had been put aside to deal with Brexit are also being repurposed.
Two €200 million euro funds for businesses will be made available to those hit by the downturn caused by the Coronavirus while a further €430 million has been allocated to the HSE.
The government has estimated €2.4 billion will need to be put aside to provide sick pay for those forced to self-isolate and this will be extended to the self-employed and be available from day 1 of the leave.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says 50 or 60% of the population could contract Covid-19 | Follow live #coronavirus updates: https://t.co/MiT1oGDaqT pic.twitter.com/tfEX63GRxi
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 9, 2020
The Dáil may be recalled early to vote on legislation to give those forced to self-isolate immediate access to sick pay.
The Taoiseach will hold a teleconference with other EU leaders tomorrow to discuss what to do about flights from affected areas and how to protect supply chains. Further advice on other mass gatherings will also be issued tomorrow.
Leo Varadkar has said every resource will be deployed to meet the crisis, even if that means borrowing money or dipping into the rainy day fund.
