More than a quarter of a million people received a pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) they might not have been expecting this morning.
€129m in arrears payments have been made to 286,000 people, according to figures obtained by Newstalk.
It comes ahead of the Christmas bonus being paid to welfare recipients next week.
The Government estimates that the two payments will pump half a billion euro into the economy over the next few weeks.
More than 350,000 people were paid the PUP today, with 90,000 of those likely to return to work this week as the economy reopens.
Shops, gyms and hairdressers were among the retailers reopening this morning as level three COVID-19 restrictions came into effect.
The reopenings are taking place with strict adherence to protective measures, while people are still being advised to work from home and not to mix with other households outside of those within their support bubble.
People should also stay in their county apart from work, education, medical and other essential purposes.
This restriction is due to be eased on December 18th.
Reporting by Seán Defoe and Jack Quann
