Thousands of people receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment have been warned to close their claims on the day they return to work.
The Department of Social Protection said it would "take steps to recover" any overpayment received as a result of failing to close a claim at the correct time.
The warning comes as thousands of people are set to return to work with lockdown measures being eased across the country.
Just under 26,000 people closed their PUP claim in the last week, with many more expected to follow in the coming months.
A Department spokesman said: "The Department continues to remind workers who are returning to work that they must close their claim for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment on the actual date that they start back at work, in order to ensure that their claim is processed correctly and to avoid incurring an overpayment that the Department will take steps to recover.
"The past seven days saw 25,920 people close their PUP claim stating that they were doing so because they are returning to work.
"Dublin had the greatest number of people closing their claims to return to work (6,578), followed by Cork (2,987) and Galway (1,408).
"As PUP is paid weekly in arrears approximately 22,000 of these people will receive a final payment this week."
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys also paid tribute to the thousands of employers who are allowing thousands of people to return to work as restrictions continued to be eased.
She said: “The slow and gradual re-opening of the economy is once again reflected in this week’s Pandemic Unemployment Payment figures.
“As the PUP is paid weekly in arrears, the full impact of the re-opening of sectors such as retail will not be evident for a number of weeks to come.
“However, all the indications are that people are returning to work in large numbers with almost 26,000 closing their PUP in the past week.
“I want to pay tribute to the thousands of employers across the country who have re-opened their businesses this week, ensuring that their staff and customers can return in a safe manner.
“I also want to draw particular attention to the fact that as people return to work, employers may be able to avail of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) to assist with payroll costs.
“This is an important support to help employers re-employ staff and restore salaries. It also acts as an effective bridge back to employment for people who were on PUP.
“As eligibility for the EWSS is based on employer turnover, most employers who have been closed due to the Pandemic will be eligible for the subsidy.
"Further information is available at www.revenue.ie.”
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