This CSO compiled a release on Employment and Life Effects during the COVID-19 crisis. The data in the release was collected as part of the Labour Force Survey Q2 data collection, and refers to data collected from households between 8-23 April 2020.

Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many changes to employment and day-to-day life for the people of Ireland. The release analyses changes to work/employment, emotional well-being, effect on finances, and the impact on families, for the Irish population aged 15 and over.

Link to publication: Employment and Life Effects of COVID-19

Interactive tables: Statbank

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, just under half of the population aged 15 years and over (47%) have seen their employment situation affected. Employment effects due to COVID-19 include: Loss of employment, Temporary layoff, Change in work hours, Remote working from home or Change to business model to online/takeaway etc.

The age groups with the lowest affected employment are the age groups 15-24 years and 65 years and over. Employment impacts are most felt in the age group 35-44 years, where two-thirds report employment effects. Employment affected rates are highest in the Eastern and Midland region where 51% of persons aged 15 years and over reported employment effects, compared to 44% in the Northern and Western, and Southern regions.

Of the population (aged 15 and over), 18% are caring for a dependent family member or friend because of the COVID-19 pandemic. More females (21%) than men (15%) are caring for a dependent family member or friend, with persons in the 45-54 age group reporting the highest rates for caring (31%) as a result of COVID-19.

The measures introduced as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic include more staying at home and less face to face family visits. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in almost 60% of the population aged 15 years and over having increased contact with family via telephone, Skype, Face Time etc. This life effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is the one reported by the population aged 15 years and over as the highest life effect experienced. The rates of this effect increase with age, with two-thirds of the population aged 65 years and over experiencing this increased family contact via telephone and internet, as compared to just under half of 15-24 year olds. 

Almost half (46%) of the population have increased positive family time. The lowest rates of increased positive family time are experienced by the 65+ age group. 

With schools closed, childcare issues can be a significant life effect arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost a quarter (24%) of persons aged 35-44 reported experiencing childcare issues, with more females than men experiencing this life effect.

The CSO compiled a publication which reports on the key features of how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the internet or ICT usage by households and individuals in the State. It is based on the results of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Household Survey, which collects data on households' access to, and individuals' use of the internet. The results of this survey are usually reported upon annually by the CSO and are based on a full quarter's data, but, to give users key insights into the changes in household and individual ICT usage arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the CSO has quickly analysed the results of this survey for three weeks in January and three weeks in March, beginning the 16th March, following the closure of schools, colleges, childcare facilities, cultural institutions, etc. and the commencement of the initial measures put in place by the Government, including stay at home measures and only essential workers continuing to go to their place of work.

This analysis is for the purpose of producing early indicators of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on households’ and individuals' use of the internet during this period. Analysis is provided across key socio-demographic characteristics, reflecting how COVID-19 has impacted the ICT usage of households and individuals.

Link to publication: Impact of COVID-19 on ICT Usage by Households

Interactive tables: Statbank

As a result of the COVID-19 measures put in place by the Government in March, all shops except for those providing essential services were closed. The online purchase of Cleaning products or personal hygiene products (includes toothbrushes, washing detergents, etc.) by people doubled in March to 10% (compared with 5% in January). Similarly, 5% of internet users surveyed in March made online purchases of Medicine or dietary supplements (excludes medical prescriptions) in the previous three months, compared with 3% of internet users surveyed in January. 

All hairdressers, beauty salons, nail salons, etc. closed in mid-March as part of the COVID-19 measures put in place. Of internet users surveyed in March, 14% made online purchases of Cosmetics, beauty or wellness products in the three months previous, compared with one in ten (10%) in January. 

As part of the measures put in place in March, all DIY, home furnishing and gardening stores were also closed. Of internet users surveyed in March, one in six (16%) made online purchases in the previous three months of Furniture, home accessories or gardening products, an increase of six percentage points on a similar period in January. 

As part of the Government COVID-19 measures, all sporting events were postponed or cancelled. All cultural and event centres like museums, galleries, theatres and concert venues were closed, as were cinemas. The effect of this measure can be seen in the drop in online purchase of Tickets for cultural or other events (including cinema, concerts, fairs, etc.), 23% of internet users in March compared with 39% in January. Similarly, only 6% of internet users surveyed in March bought Tickets for sport events online in the previous three months, compared with 15% of internet users surveyed in January. 

The COVID-19 pandemic measures put in place by the Government in March included persons being confined to home and to their own household, except for essential shopping or emergency journeys. Also, all fitness and sports centres were closed and sports training, etc. cancelled. These measures may have led to an increase in the use of home training and exercise/keep fit routines, including the use of fitness Apps. Of internet users surveyed in March one twelfth (8%) stated that they purchased Apps related to health or fitness, compared with 3% in January, while 8% bought Other Apps online (including Apps related to learning languages, travelling, weather, etc). Over one fifth (21%) of internet users surveyed in March, purchased online Music as a streaming service or download, an increase of one percentage point on January.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, use of the internet for Seeking health related information has increased by twelve percentage points in March, with 72% of persons aged 16 years and over seeking health information compared with 60% in the last three weeks of January. 

With more people having to stay at home, our use of the internet for entertainment has increased. Watching YouTube type content has increased in March during the COVID-19 pandemic, 70% of persons aged 16 years and over in March compared with 65% in the corresponding period in January, an increase of five percentage points. Watching internet streamed TV live or catch up (from TV broadcasters) was carried out by 55% of internet users, while 57% were Watching video on demand (from commercial services such as Netflix, Disney+, HBO GO, Amazon Prime). In March, 46% of internet users aged 60 years and over were Watching internet streamed TV live or catch up, compared to 29% in January, while 37% of that age group were Watching video on demand in March compared to 29% in January.

In March, almost half (49%) of persons aged 16 to 44 years (who use the internet) reported Uploading self-created content (such as photos, music, videos, text to any website to be shared), compared to 38% in January, while 55% of this age group used the internet for Playing or downloading games – a 20 percentage increase on January levels.

One fifth (20%) of persons used the internet for Making an appointment with a health practitioner (such as to get a prescription), an increase of seven percentage points on January. Use of the internet for Using other healthcare services instead of visiting doctor (via a website or App) was reported by 7% of internet users surveyed in March, compared with 4% in the corresponding survey period in January.