The Social Protection Minister says she plans to defer cuts to the rate of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
Cuts to the payments were due to come in from February 1st with the number of bands being reduced.
However, Minister Heather Humphreys says in light of the new Level 5 restrictions she plans to delay that move:
"I will have to consult with my Government colleagues. But my view at this stage is that given the current rate of the virus, the current rate of the PUP should continue until the end of March. We can review it again then at that stage, depending on the numbers of the virus."
Meanwhile, arrangements are in place to process new PUP applications over the holidays.
Anybody who applies for the PUP online, anytime up to and including Christmas Eve, will receive the payment within a week of their application.
Those who apply between December 25th and 31st will be paid on January 5th.
The Minister for Public Expenditure announced yesterday a number of supports for people who are set to lose their jobs.
A double rate of the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme will be paid to businesses affected by the new restrictions for two weeks.
Local authority commercial rates are being waivered for the first three months of 2021.
Main image: File photo of Heather Humphreys. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
