The Department of Social Protection says anyone who travels abroad while receiving unemployment benefits will not be back paid.
A spokesperson for the new minister Heather Humphreys confirmed the change came into effect this week.
Previously, a social welfare recipient could travel abroad for up to two weeks and be paid for while they were away.
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The Department said anyone who's abroad or self-isolating after returning from abroad isn't considered seeking work and their payments will be paused for that time.
News reporter with the Irish Daily Star Laura Colgan told Shannonside Northern Sound it could be a way for the Government to discourage foreign travel this summer:
