Review Identifies 85 People Who May Have Been Incorrectly Stopped PUP

85 people who travelled abroad may have incorrectly had their Pandemic Unemployment Payment stopped.

The Department of Social Protection says it has completed a review of all 2,500 cases where the payment was cut.

The Department said it will be contacting the 85 individuals directly in the coming days to verify these cases.

But questions remain about how the travel information of people which led to blocking the payment was gathered and passed to the Department of Social Protection.

Meanwhile the data watchdog says it has "serious doubts" over the lawfulness of people's information being collected at airports in relation to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

The Data Protection Commission has confirmed all customers on some flights in recent months have been asked for their details.

It says it "can't see" how the practice of collecting information from all passengers just because they're leaving the country is within the powers of social welfare inspectors.

A review by the Department of Social Protection has found 85 people had their payment cut for travelling abroad during the pandemic, but could be entitled to it back.