THERE has been a further drop in the amount of people in Donegal receiving Pandemic Unemployment Payments.
Today, there were 8,100 people in Donegal in receipt of a Pandemic Unemployment Payment – down from 8,500 last week.
At the peak of the Covid-19 lockdown, there were 22,700 people in Donegal receiving a PUP.
Additioanlly, 400 people in Donegal have closed their PUP payments to return to work.
Today the Department of Social Protection issued payments valued at €84.4m to 262,500 people for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). This represents a decrease of 12,100 on the 274,600 people paid last week and a 56% drop on the 598,000 paid at its peak on 5th May.
In the past seven days, 11,100 people have closed their claim for a Pandemic Unemployment Payment. Some 5,000 will be receiving their final payment tomorrow, 11th August.
The top three sectors in which employees are returning to work this week are Accommodation and Food Services; Wholesale and Retail Trade, Repair of Motor Vehicles and motorcycles; and Construction.
The largest cohort returning to work is in the 25-34 age group.
Today, the Department of Social Protection is issuing a further reminder to people who have failed to confirm their eligibility that they must do so by Friday, August 14th, or their payment will be suspended.
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, welcomed the continuing reduction in numbers claiming the PUP.
“Over the past number of weeks, thanks to the efforts of everybody in our community, we have succeeded in reopening significant parts of our society.
“Regrettably we have had to postpone some elements of the reopening plan and introduce some limited restrictions in the counties of Kildare, Laois and Offaly.
“I understand that this decision is very disheartening for businesses and employees in those counties many of whom have only recently returned to work. It is critically important however that we do not take any unnecessary risks that could reverse the progress our country has made to date and lead to the re-introduction of further restrictions. This has already happened in a number of other countries.
“I want to emphasise that workers who are affected by these restrictions in Kildare, Laois and Offaly are entitled to access the Covid-19 Illness Benefit payment and the Covid -19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
“This includes people living in Direct Provision Centres and non-nationals whose employment has been temporarily suspended due to a forced closure of a business as a result of Covid-19. The easiest way to access these income supports is to apply online at www.MyWelfare.ie.”
As well as those availing of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, there are now over 69,500 employers who have registered with the Revenue Commissioners for the Temporary Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS). An estimated 370,000 employees are currently being supported by the scheme having received a subsidy in their most recent pay period.
