More than four billion euro in pandemic unemployment payments have been made since the start of the covid-19 crisis.
342 thousand people will receive the PUP tomorrow which will cost the state 99 million euro.
12,500 people made claims over the past week.
Meanwhile, some 3,032 people are currently in receipt of an Enhanced Illness Benefit payment.
Department of Social Protection Heather Humphreys says “This week’s figures show a further rise in the number of people in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. The increase was anticipated and reflects the impact of moving to Level 5 of restrictions. Some €4billion has now been paid out in PUP in total – demonstrating the Government’s commitment to supporting workers throughout this Pandemic."
The Minister went on to say that "the fall in the number of Covid-19 cases in recent days is encouraging and gives cause for optimism ahead of the upcoming Christmas period.
“Let’s all keep going together. We brought this virus under control before. It is within our gift to do so again.”
