Pandemic unemployment payment likely to be extended as Covid cases rise

Liz Canavan, of the Department of the Taoiseach, warned that Covid cases could reach up to 1,000 per day 'if the current progress remains unchanged'. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

The pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) is likely to be extended as the number of daily Covid-19 cases across Ireland could soar to 1,000 in a month if the progress of the virus remains unchanged, it has been claimed.

As the numbers continue to wreak havoc on the economy, senior Government sources have indicated the new three rates of the PUP (€300, €250, and €203) could be extended past February, when it is due to be reduced to two rates, and beyond April, when it is due to be phased out entirely.