: 31/03/2020 - 16:56
Thousands of people received their first Covid 19 unemployment payment today.
15,000 applications for the benefit had their applications rejected for different reasons.
In some cases they did not meet the eligibility criteria, while others may have given incorrect details that need to be corrected.
Thousands of duplicate applications were also received, as some people made an online and physical application.
Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty says her department is working flat out to process the applications:
File image: Regina Doherty/RollingNews