DUBLIN: The number of people receiving government assistance for job losses due to the COVID-19 in Ireland is reported to be declining. According to new figures from the Department of Social Protection, the number of people receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment has dropped to its lowest level since early March 2020.
This week, just over 202,000 people received the PUP, a decrease of nearly 9,700 from the previous week. Over 3000 workers in the Accommodation and Food Services Sector did not get their payments this week. The department last paid €59.8 million to 202,152 people.
The biggest decline was seen in the under-25 age group. The number of people in this age cohort receiving assistance has fallen from 45,881 last week to 42,308 this week.
Dublin has the highest number of PUP recipients in the country. Almost 75,200 people in the capital received this week, followed by Cork (17,970) and Galway (10,706).
Accommodation and Food Service Activities (47,640) has the most persons receiving the PUP, followed by Wholesale and Retail Trade (30,876) and Administrative and Support Service Activities (22,393).
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said that over 8,800 people have closed their claims in the last seven days as they have returned to work. “As we go into August, I anticipate further falls in the overall numbers – partly due to the expected re-opening of indoor hospitality,” the Minister added.
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