The Government has confirmed that people who lose their jobs over Christmas and New Year will be able to apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin confirmed today that Ireland will be entering a modified form of Level Five lockdown.
These means many businesses will once again be forced to shut their doors.
As a result, thousands of people will lose their jobs, and will be forced to apply for the PUP.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has now confirmed that new "arrangements" are now in place to process the new applications.
The expected payment dates are as follows:
- A person who makes a new application for PUP in the period from the 18th December up to and including close of business today the 22nd will receive their payment on the 24th of December.
- A person who makes a new application for PUP by close of business on Wednesday 23 December will receive payment on Wednesday 30 December.
- A person who makes a new application for PUP by close of business on Thursday 24 December will receive a payment on Thursday 31 December.
- A person who makes a new application for PUP on any date from the 25th to close of business on 31st of December will be paid on the normal PUP payment date of Tuesday the 5th of January.
Minister Humphreys said: "My priority is to ensure that the businesses and workers impacted by these new restrictions are supported.
“I want to assure all workers that the Pandemic Unemployment Payment remains open for applications and will be available to assist people who lose their job in the coming days.
“I have put arrangements in place for people who will be losing their jobs at this very difficult time and officials in my Department will be working throughout the Christmas period so that applications will be processed without delay.
“In order to process applications as quickly as possible, I would urge everybody to apply online. The quickest and easiest way to apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is online via MyWelfare.ie.
“These are not easy decisions but people’s health is the key priority and the measures being taken by Government are essential to protect lives and keep people safe.
“This will be a Christmas like no other and we all need to take personal responsibility for our behaviour. Make no mistake - your actions over the next few days will make a difference. We cannot sacrifice all the hard work of the last nine months or put the lives of our loved ones at risk just as vaccines are about to arrive.
“The best Christmas gift that we can give to our family, friends and especially our frontline workers this year is a safe Christmas.”
