The Department of Social Protection was asked to conduct site visits of hospitality businesses on Christmas week to ensure staff had signed off the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. "There is particular concern that not all PUP recipients are closing their claims on return to work," the email states. If necessary all SIU resources, SIU HEOs [Higher Executive Officers] EOs [Executive Officers] and Gardaí can be used if available. "Every effort will be made to conduct employer site inspections without impacting on the day-to-day operation of businesses at this busy time," they added. The department has been clear in its communications that workers who return to work should close their PUP claim."

Source: Irish Examiner December 22, 2020 21:00 UTC