The number of people receiving the PUP payment in Donegal this week increased significantly from 1,523 to 1,936 – an increase of more than 25%.
It follows changes in the hospitality sector allowing people in that sector to claim the payment once again.
It is still considerably less than the height of the pandemic in Donegal in May 2020 when 22,725 availed of the PUP payment.
Nationally there was an increase of 9,302 on the number of people in receipt of the payment on 21st December last.
These figures are in addition to the 164,626 people who were on the Live Register at the end of November.
The sector with the highest number of people receiving PUP this week is Accommodation and Food Service Activities (12,717) and is followed by Wholesale and Retail Trade (10,832) and Administrative and Support Service activities (7,520).
Separately, there were 14,439 people in receipt of the Enhanced Illness Benefit today.
Minister Humphreys last week announced that the Department has expanded the range of documentation customers can use to apply for the Enhanced Illness Benefit.
Since Tuesday, 7th December PUP has re-opened for workers who have been impacted by the latest restrictions and measures to slow down the spread of the Covid virus.
There are five weekly rates of PUP payable for these workers who lose their job as a result of the latest restrictions from 7th December. The rate of payment is determined by the person’s weekly earnings, namely €350, €300, €250, €208 and €150.
The Department of Social Protection is using Revenue data to verify employment status and earnings for all applications.
Although applicants should apply online, they may be required, as is the case with other work-related payments, to attend an Intreo Centre to present evidence of their employment status.
The most recent tables relating to PUP and EIB are available in the Appendices below.
