PUP numbers fall below total on wage subsidy scheme in May        

Large group of retail workers still on the scheme points to the potential danger of long-term scarring from the pandemic, economists say

Revenue figures show there were 298,500 people on the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme in May and 109,100 people in the first few days of June. File picture

The numbers requiring the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) have continued to fall steadily, but the large group of retail workers on the scheme points to the potential danger of long-term scarring, with shops fully reopening three weeks ago.  

Department of Social Protection figures show there were 285,265 on the PUP this week – down by 24,000 from last week – marking the second week of steady declines since large parts of the economy started to reopen.