Planned cuts to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be deferred, the Social Protection Minister has said.
The rates of the PUP had been due to fall for some people from February 1st.
Under the changes, those who earned €200 and €300 per week would receive €203 per week in PUP (down from €250), while those who earned over €300 per week would receive €250 (down from either €300 or €350).
It means the current four rates of PUP would be reduced to just two - €203 or €250.
However, Heather Humphreys said that's now likely to be deferred due to the introduction of live five restrictions over the coming days.
The minister said she has to get agreement from Cabinet, but she hopes that the cuts will not happen until the end of March.
She said: "I will have to consult with my Government colleagues.
"But my view at this stage is that given the current rate of the virus, the current rate of the PUP should continue until the end of March.
"We can review it again then at that stage, depending on the numbers of the virus."
Meanwhile, eligible people who apply for PUP before close of business tomorrow (Christmas Eve) will receive their first payments before the end of the year.
Those who apply between December 25th and 31st will be paid on January 5th.
