The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is likely to be extended for new entrants, it has emerged.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys is proposing an extension for new entrants to the end of March, with the scheme originally due to end on December 31.
Cabinet will consider the plans when they meet later today.
RTE News reports that Minister Humphreys will claim the measure is needed to give greater certainty to both workers and businesses.
It comes after it was revealed last night that €104 million in payments were made this week, up from €103.8 million last week, to 352,078 people in receipt of the PUP.
The number of people receiving a PUP payment this week represents an increase of just over 2,000 on the 350,072 people paid last week.
The sector with the highest number of people in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is Accommodation and Food Service Activities (102,777) followed by Wholesale and Retail Trade (57,292) and Other Sectors e.g. hairdressers and beauty salons (31,273).
Minister Humphreys said: "There are now over 352,000 people in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, representing an increase of over 145,000 since the start of October.
“These past few weeks have not been easy. I know people are tired and just want life to get back to some normality.
“Later this week Government hopes to be in a position to consider easing restrictions from early December which will hopefully allow some people to return to work.
"In the meantime as a society, we must do everything within our power to continue to suppress this virus and to significantly reduce the rate of transmission. By working together now and in the weeks ahead, we can all play our part in ensuring that families across the country will be able to come together and celebrate this Christmas in a meaningful way.”
