The Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be restored to €350 for anyone who was earning €400 a week or more before the crisis began.
More than 244,000 people will receive the PUP tomorrow, 15,000 more than last week.
The four bands of the unemployment payment are now at €203, €250, €300 and €350 a month.
Under Level 5 restrictions, all non-essential retail would close, while bars, cafes and restaurants would only be able to offer takeaway or delivery services.
NEW: The Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be restored to €350 for anyone who was earning €400 a week or more. Enhancement of Wage Subsidy Scheme also expected
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) October 19, 2020
Under the other changes being made to wage supports, the Wage Subsidy Scheme is also being enhanced.
There will be five bands now instead of two which will pay employers more to keep staff on.
Cabinet Ministers have been meeting to sign off on the highest level of restrictions for a six week period.
The new measures will take place from midnight on Wednesday, taking things up until the start of December.
A full announcement is due around 9pm.
Reporting by Seán Defoe
