The numbers receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment have fallen below 400,000 for the first time this year.
Over 385,000 received the support today, which marks a drop of almost 18,000 on last week.
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys says "This is a very positive development and reflects the start of the recovery phase from this pandemic.
“As restrictions are eased further over the coming weeks, tens of thousands more people will be in a position to close their PUP claims as their industries re-open and they return to work."
There are almost 5,000 fewer construction workers getting the support today as the full sector reopened.
There are over 99,000 people in the Accommodation and Food Service activities receiving PUP this week.
At the end of this month, the Department of Social Protection says it will set out the future of the PUP after June 30th.
Minister Humphreys says "The Government recognises that some sectors will be slower to reopen than others.
“For that reason, there will be no cliff-edge come the end of June".
