352 thousand people will receive the Pandemic Unemployment Payment tomorrow - two thousand more than last week.
The number of claims has increased by around 150,000 since the start of October when most of the country was under level 2 restrictions.
This week's payments will cost the state 104 million euro, according to the Department of Social Protection.
The sector with the highest number of people in receipt of PUP is Accommodation and Food Service Activities, followed by Wholesale and Retail Trade and other sectors like hairdressers and beauty salons.
This week's figures are in addition to the 203,172 people who were reported on the Live Register at the end of October.
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys says she hopes easing restrictions next month will allow some people to return to work.
Minister Humphreys says:
“These past few weeks have not been easy. I know people are tired and just want life to get back to some normality.
“Later this week Government hopes to be in a position to consider easing restrictions from early December which will hopefully allow some people to return to work.
“In the meantime as a society, we must do everything within our power to continue to suppress this virus and to significantly reduce the rate of transmission. By working together now and in the weeks ahead, we can all play our part in ensuring that families across the country will be able to come together and celebrate this Christmas in a meaningful way.”
