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The number of people claiming pandemic unemployment pay has dropped to just under 206,000, nearly 12,000 from 217,000 a week ago.
That’s according to the latest figures from the Department of Labor Affairs and Social Protection.
This week, 205,593 people will receive PUP payments, a reduction of 11,549 compared to last week when the total was 217,142.
However, there was a sharp increase in the number of applicants in Donegal, the only county other than Dublin that is subject to Level 3 restrictions.
In Donegal, where the number of applicants peaked in May at 22,700, there were 5,949 PUP recipients last week.
However, over the past seven days, that number increased by a third to 7,946.
7,298 people closed their PUP claims during the past 7 days, and 4,969 reported they were returning to work.
However, another 4,645 people had their payment suspended because they had not confirmed their continued eligibility to receive payment. Those affected by this can contact the Department’s help line at 1890 800 024 for assistance.
Construction was the sector with the biggest drop in the number of PUP applicants: 15,170 people received a payment, 1,743 less than last week.
The sector with the highest number of people claiming PUP is that of Accommodation and Food Service Activities, where 51,286 people depend on the payment.
In second place is Wholesale / Retail Trade (29,353) followed by Administrative and Support Services Activities (22,129).
3,378 claimants will receive their final payment tomorrow.
In addition to those who claimed PUPs, at the end of September, another 211,492 people were registered in the Live Registry and were receiving the job search benefit.
Between Live Registration and Pandemic Payment, a total of 417,085 people are totally dependent on the state for their income.
Of those who receive the PUP, 121,621 receive the € 300 rate, 36,072 are entitled to the € 250 rate and 47,900 receive the lowest rate of € 203.
However, those fees will be gradually lowered between now and the end of March to align with the job search benefit fee of € 203.
Since the pandemic began, 69,266 have been medically certified to receive the Enhanced Covid-19 Disease Benefit, and 2,028 are currently receiving payment.
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphrey noted that due to additional restrictions, the government had kept the PUP open to new participants until the end of this year.
He urged anyone affected by the new restrictions introduced today to take advantage of PUPs through MyWelfare.ie.
The largest number of people returning to work is in the 35-44 age group, followed by 25-34.
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