Ireland only 'steps away from being a police state' as Covid-19 jobless to be denied welfare

Social Protection Minister, Heather Humphreys, claimed last night that welfare inspectors had also been mandated to conduct airport checks since 2012. Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Sweeping powers to deny workers locked out of their jobs emergency welfare payments were set to be passed by the Dail last night, amid claims Ireland is just steps away from being a “police state”.

The new laws will require pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) claimants to be “genuinely seeking” work-despite some sectors, such as pubs and entertainment, remaining shut due to the pandemic.