Pace of decline in PUP numbers slows sharply        

Has been closed for new applicants since the first week in July

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys said the 'Government will continue to monitor the progress of the virus and the vaccination programme ...  with a view to bringing forward a road map for the easing or removal of remaining restrictions by the end of August.'

The pace in decline in the number of people requiring the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) has slowed, official figures suggest, as the lifting of many restrictions last month runs its course. 

The Department of Social Protection figures show there were 157,710 people on the PUP, down by 5,615 this week, a slower rate of decline than in recent weeks.