The October Bank Holiday is just days away which means social welfare recipients are facing a change to the date of their payments.
The Department of Social Protection has issued an update which for many will be good news as restrictions ease from Friday.
Monday October 25 is a Bank Holiday, meaning welfare offices will be closed across the country.
Therefore, social welfare recipients will see their payments lodged into their bank accounts a few days early on Friday instead.
People who are due to receive their payments on Tuesday will have these funds lodged on that day as planned.
A spokesperson for the Department of Social Protection said: "October 25 is a Bank Holiday and as a result, any Social Welfare payments due to be in your account on Monday 25 October will now be paid on Friday 22 October instead. Payments will be paid as normal on Tuesday 26 October.
"All Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday 25 October. Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will reopen on Tuesday 26 October."
A number of Covid-19 restrictions are set to be eased from Friday, meaning many people will be happy to see their payments in their accounts before the weekend.
Looser rules on the hospitality sector, such as pubs and nightclubs, will take effect, while limits on gatherings and at events such as weddings will be removed.
It comes as latest figures show that 93,399 people received the Pandemic Unemployment Payment this week.
This represents a fall of 3,731 compared to last week, with the greatest reduction in the Accommodation and Food Services sector, as it has been for the past 19 weeks.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said the decrease in PUP figures represents "another positive step as we continue to reopen our economy".
“The overall numbers are now 85% below what they were in May of last year, when the virus was at its peak," she said.
“The fact that we have reduced the overall PUP numbers at a faster rate than previously anticipated demonstrates the success of our vaccination programme and the positive impact of our employment services strategy, ‘Pathways to Work’.
“The Government [has] announced our intention to proceed with a further easing of restrictions this Friday.
“We are doing this in a cautious manner given the concerning numbers of Covid-19 cases, which are a reminder of how dangerous the virus is.
“If we continue to adhere to public health guidelines and, importantly, isolate when we display symptoms, I am confident that we can build on the progress we have made as a country over the past 20 months.”
