The vast majority of Pandemic Unemployment Payment cases stopped as a result of the compliance checks at airports and ports relate to individuals leaving the country permanently, according to the Department of Social Protection. "The eligibility criteria have always been clear that a recipient must be living in the State in order to receive a Pandemic Unemployment Payment and cannot be absent from the State," it said in a statement. "The PUP is not paid to people who are leaving the country to reside elsewhere or who go on holidays abroad.
Neither is the payment paid to individuals during a 14 day quarantine period." As part of its normal control work, the Department said it carries out compliance inspections at ports and airports