Communities Minister confirms that councils in Northern Ireland can furlough staff through Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

'My priority has been to ensure that the rights of workers are respected and to protect jobs', says Minister

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has confirmed that councils in Northern Ireland can furlough staff through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).

While the UK government's guidance on the CJRS advises that -

'The government expects that the scheme will not be used by many public sector organisations, as most public sector employees are continuing to provide essential public services or contribute to the response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.'

- Ms Hargey has said that, following work with councils and discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive's Department of Finance -

'I can confirm that councils are eligible to apply to furlough staff through the CJRS.

My priority has been to ensure that the rights of workers are respected and to protect jobs.   

This is a very difficult time for everybody.  Our eleven councils provide very important functions and services, continuing to do so during this emergency  and looking ahead, councils need to be ready to play their part in the economic recovery. 

I am pleased to be able to provide clarity about this issue and most importantly to ensure that council workers jobs are protected.'

For more information, see Hargey welcomes confirmation that council workers can apply for furlough scheme from ni.gov.uk