The pandemic unemployment payment could be extended as per the plan to be brought to the cabinet by the Social Welfare Minister today.
The scheme is for new entrants on December 31 this year. But with the approval of the ministers, it will be extended till the end of March.
This is because the Restaurant Association of Ireland has called for the PUP payment to be expanded by the end of the year.
Its concern, which coincides with the retail and broader hospitality sectors, is that workers may fear returning to work next month if they feel their businesses will close again in January.
RTE News understands that Social Welfare Minister Heather Humphries will have to seek cabinet approval to extend the PUP scheme for new entrants from the end of the year until the end of next March.
Minister Humphries is expected to argue that the move is necessary to provide more reassurance to workers and businesses.
The PUP scheme has given $ 4.3 billion to date, and this week $ 104 million was given to just 350,000 people in PUP.
If approved, restaurants will welcome the PUP move – but will continue to try to reopen their businesses once the Level 5 restrictions are lifted.
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