The Government has reassured PUP recipients.
The Government is reassuring people on the pandemic unemployment payment that they can reapply in the New Year, should they sign off for seasonal work.
It comes as some retailers and restaurants struggle to find staff for the Christmas period, with some retailers and restaurants having lost staff to more secure jobs in supermarkets and pharmacies.
While others say workers are reluctant to come off the pandemic unemployment payment over fears they would miss out on the social welfare Christmas bonus payment or will need the PUP again in the New Year amid speculation of another lockdown.
Senior Government Official Liz Canavan said you can still get the bonus if you return to work over Christmas:
''If you're registered as unemployed for the PUP on one or more days between the 27th of Nov and 3rd of Dec and you have been in receipt of PUP for 17 weeks, then you will be eligible for the Christmas bonus payment''.
Meanwhile, Richard Guiney from Dublin Town says retailers have raised the issue with him.
''Businesses could really only offer three weeks work and even at that couldn't guarantee that there wouldn't be another lockdown before Christmas.
''One can understand the concerns of potential employees''.
The Restaurants Association claims college students in particular are choosing to stay on the PUP rather than taking up the offer of work.
The Government is reassuring people who do go back to work over Christmas that should they need to, they can reapply for the PUP in January.
