Donohoe: Level-5 'not as severe' to economy

CSO figures show that, in GDP terms, the economy grew by a near record 11.1% in the third quarter, compared to slumps of over 3% in the first and second quarters

Finance minister Paschal Donohoe expects to see “significant declines” in the numbers of people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment in the coming weeks. Picture: Julien Behal

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe is “optimistic” the recent Level-5 Covid-19 lockdown restrictions will have had a less damaging impact on the economy than the first lockdown earlier in the year.

He also said he expects to see “significant declines” in the numbers of people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment in the coming weeks.