Thousands could have claimed PUP payments without proving lost income 

The report adds that the changing of the rates of pay of the PUP in June 2020 had a "significant impact" on the number of people claiming the higher €350 rate.

A lack of ongoing checks led to thousands of people being able to claim the Pandemic Unemployment Payment without proving that they had lost income due to Covid-19 lockdowns.

A report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) finds that while the PUP was established with great expediency and effort, there were deficiencies in the handling of ongoing data to ensure those who received assistance were entitled to it.