Number on PUP at lowest level since pandemic began
The number of people in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is just under 163,400 this week – the lowest level since the pandemic began.
The number receiving the payment dropped almost 29,000 on last week, as people returning to work closed their claim.
This week, the Department of Social Protection issued weekly payments valued at €48.4 million to 163,327 people in receipt of the PUP.
The overall bill for PUP now stands at over €8.3 billion.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said, with the return of indoor hospitality, it is great to see more businesses now re-opened as we move into the busiest weeks of the summer holiday season.
“The number of people in receipt of the PUP is now at the lowest level since the pandemic began and every week we are seeing more and more people getting back to work.
“It is also very encouraging to see many businesses actively advertising for and hiring new staff. As new jobs are created, I and my Government colleagues want to ensure that people who are currently unemployed have the training, skills and the confidence to take on these new roles.”
The county with the highest number of people receiving PUP is Dublin which stands at 60,730, followed by Cork at 14,629 and Galway at 8,740.
The sector with the highest number of people in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is Accommodation and Food Service Activities (37,723) followed by Wholesale and Retail Trade (25,368) and Administrative and support service activities (18,350).
The payment week for the PUP runs from Friday to Thursday and payments are paid on the following Tuesday. Individuals who have closed their PUP by Monday, August 2, as they have returned to work, will receive their final PUP payment on Tuesday, August 10.
Article Source – Number on PUP at lowest level since pandemic began – RTE
