460,000 people will receive the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) tomorrow.
It marks the highest figures recorded since June.
The number of payments being issued this week marks a rise of almost 62,000 since last Tuesday.
The increase includes just over 24,000 construction workers who have lost their jobs as a result of the new covid-19 restrictions.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys says “This week’s Pandemic Unemployment Payment figures are a stark reminder to all of us of the impact that COVID19 is having on so many individuals, families and businesses as well as our communities right across the country. The last time we had this level of claims for PUP was in June 2020 as the country was beginning to emerge from the initial period of restrictions last Summer.
Meanwhile, the number of people in receipt of Enhanced Illness Benefit has climbed to more than 10,400, which is over 4,000 more than last week.
