Santa Claus has been deemed an essential worker and will not be subject to Covid-19 travel restrictions when he arrives in Ireland next month.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney confirmed the Government's decision to the Dáil in a move that will be met with relief by children across the country.
Mr Coveney told TDs that Santa Claus has now confirmed to the authorities his intention to fly to Ireland on December 24 as usual.
However, he warned that children should remain in their beds on the night as there was a need for Santa to socially distance. "As minister for Foreign Affairs we've been working on the Santa Claus issue for a number of weeks now," he said.