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The government will increase the pandemic unemployment payment after agreeing to a second lockdown this afternoon.
Earlier tonight, the Cabinet approved moving to Level Five restrictions, albeit with some changes.
As a result, the PUP will increase to € 350 per week for those who previously earned € 400 or more per week.
People who earned between € 300 and € 400 will now receive € 300 each week, while those who earn between € 200 and € 300 will receive € 250.
Anyone who has received a payment of less than € 200 will now receive € 203.
The salary subsidy scheme will also see changes that will be in effect until the end of January 2021.
Under the amendments, workers earning between € 151 and € 203 per week will receive € 203, while those with wages between € 203 and € 300 will qualify for a payment of € 250.
People with income between € 300 and € 400 will receive € 300, while those with income between € 400 and € 1,462 will earn € 350, reports RTE News.
A troubling 244,000 now claim PUPs, something that will increase dramatically as the country enters its second lockdown.
In a meeting that lasted more than three hours tonight, the coalition partners signed a plan that they hope will roll back Covid’s progress.
At that stage, all pubs and restaurants will lower the blinds and only one takeout service will be allowed.
But there are some alterations to the plan, which, as we previously reported, will see GAA inter-county championships continue, along with horse racing and Six Nations.
Schools will also remain open, while construction sites will be able to continue operating.
And all gyms, swimming pools and leisure centers will be blocked as the effort to beat Covid affects both work and play.
Main streets will be empty as only essential businesses will be allowed to remain open.
Movement restrictions will also return, and people can now only stay within 5 km of their home.
People can meet someone from another outdoor home, as long as they live within 5 km of each other and maintain social distancing.
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