Taoiseach Micheal Martin took to the podium outside government buildings on Tuesday afternoon to announce a revised roadmap for the reopening of society.
Among the main announcements were the postponement of indoor hospitality returning next month, an amended rollout of the vaccine programme and the easing of other restrictions on July 5.
The deferral of indoor dining and drinking returning means that thousands of people due to end their Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) claims will need to continue accessing the benefit.
Following the address to the nation, the deadline for new entrants to apply for the PUP has been extended.
New claimants will now have until July 7 to seek the income support.
The government's statement on the extension of the PUP to new entrants says: "Given the decision to defer the lifting of certain public health restrictions, and the associated risk of pandemic-related losses of employment among people who have just returned to work in anticipation of businesses re-opening next week, the planned closure of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment to new entrants will be deferred to midnight on 7th July 2021 rather than on midnight on 30th June 2021 as previously agreed."
Businesses that will be forced to stay closed throughout the next few weeks are also expected to receive additional financial help from the government.
Mr Martin acknowledged that his announcement will be treated "by dismay and frustration by some" and therefore "additional support" will be provided to these sectors.
He added that the tourism and hospitality industries, in particular, have carried a "disproportionate" burden.
In line with this, changes have also been made to the Covid-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS).
CRSS will now be amended to allow for a double week payment from the week commencing July 5 for a period of two weeks, subject to the cap of €5,000 per week.
Speaking following the Taoiseach's announcement, the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Leo Varadkar said he hopes the hospitality sector will work in tandem with the government.
"I know much of the summer is now lost, but we can work on this together to allow us to open your sectors and keep them open," he said.
"For those businesses that are still closed, we will provide support. For those who were told to come back to work, the re-entrance to the PUP will be open again."
