Food service and retail account for largest groups of 230,400 people on PUP                

The PUP numbers are closely watched for any signs that the sectors worst hit by the slump are recovering

04/08/2020 Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands Heather Humphreys TD during a Cabinet meeting at Dublin Castle. Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins

The number of people availing of the pandemic unemployment payments (PUP) fell slightly in the past week, but still leaving 230,400, including large groups who once worked in food service, retail, and construction, continuing to depend on the benefit to make ends meet.

The latest PUP figures show the numbers fell by 2,000 in the week, and compare with the almost 600,000 people who were on the payment during the worst of the lockdowns, in early May.