The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is to be reinstated for all those who lose jobs as a result of restrictions announced this evening.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys tweeted this evening, "I know many workers will be worried tonight. The Pandemic Unemployment Payment will reopen for applications for workers impacted by latest restrictions."
She said her department "will work on this as a matter of urgency and full details will be announced over coming days".
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe announced support for the hospitality sector after more restrictions were imposed on the sector.
He said the targeted scheme will be modelled on the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme and will provide support to the hospitality sector to supplement the support they are receiving under the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme.
According to a statement, a weekly payment will be made to qualifying businesses in the sector whose trade is significantly impacted due to the restrictions set out in Health Regulations. Businesses who expect their turnover to be below half of what it was in 2019 will quality for this additional support.
The payment will amount to 12% of their turnover for the same week in 2019 up to a maximum weekly payment of €5,000.
Minister for the Arts Catherine Martin said an extra €25m has been secured to support live entertainment following this evening's announcement.
In a tweet, she said she understood that today's decision "is a huge blow to the entertainment sector already hurting".
She said the extra support would be for those impacted, including: venues, producers, promoters, artists, crews and nightclubs.
The Department of Housing said it was announcing an extension of the current targeted commercial rates waiver for the first three months of 2022.
In a statement, it said: "As is the case for quarter four 2021, this waiver will specifically target those businesses in the hospitality and entertainment sector who are impacted by continued restrictions."
Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien said: "Throughout this pandemic Government have continued to support businesses, and this latest commercial rates waiver will help businesses most impacted by ongoing restrictions, namely those in the hospitality and entertainment sector.
"So far €1.5bn has been provided by my Department to local authorities so that they can continue to implement rates waivers while maintaining the invaluable services they provide."
