Irish wage subsidy recipients jump as retail sales slump

DUBLIN (Reuters) - The number of workers on Ireland's wage subsidy scheme for firms hit by the coronavirus pandemic jumped to 400,000 on Thursday, as data showed retail sales fell 12.7% month-on-month in March when the economy began to gradually shut down.Ireland instructed people to stay home almost six weeks ago and ministers expect the severe restrictions that led to the closure of all but essential operations to remain largely or entirely in place after the current expiry date next..