The Government says two special consular flights have transported over 350 stranded Irish residents home from Britain.
The two planes - one operated by Aer Lingus and another by Ryanair - departed the UK on Tuesday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs says a "very limited service" will continue for the duration of the travel restrictions, which are set to be in place until the New Year.
The flights are available to Irish-bound people who became stranded after a travel ban was imposed on the UK.
The ban has been implemented in response to the rapid spread of a new strain of COVID-19 in parts of England.
The mutation - known as VUI-202012/01 - is said to be up to 70% more infectious than the original strain because it has a much bigger viral load.
The department says the flight services are to assist Irish-bound passengers who were transiting through British airports when the restrictions were imposed - or Irish residents who can prove that they were only temporarily in Britain and need to get back to Ireland.
We have set up a GB Emergency Travel Helpline ☎️+353 (0) 1 613 1700
This helpline answered over 500 calls yesterday. We would ask people to be patient as we deal with this high volume of queries
Please contact the helpline only if you fall into the categories below pic.twitter.com/5Cd9DtOkKk— Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) December 22, 2020
They are not available to people living in Britain who were planning short trips to Ireland for Christmas.
They are also not available for citizens normally resident, studying or working in the UK.
It says they are for "essential travel only" and can only be arranged through the department.
Meanwhile "a smaller number" of people were also accommodated on ferry routes.
Anyone eligible to travel should call the Department of Foreign Affairs dedicated assistance line on +353-1-613-1700.
