A department briefing note on the controversy around the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and people travelling out of Ireland

This is a copy of a Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection briefing note on a controversy that flared during the summer surrounding foreign travel and pandemic welfare payments.

The Department were forced to defend airport inspections, which it claimed had yielded €10 million in savings.

It emerged at the time that flights to Romania and Moldova were a particular target for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment checks.

The briefing note covers the controversy from start to finish and what to say if asked about recipients returning to work, or compliance checks on travel abroad.