People laid off due to Covid-19 urged to upskill

Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education said the portal will be "a one-stop shop" for businesses, employees or unemployed persons and outlines the third-level options available to them. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has urged people laid off temporarily as a result of Covid-19 to do short courses, saying it will not affect their social welfare payments.

He was speaking as a new online portal which simplifies the process for people looking to retrain or add new skills is launched by the Government today.