Numbers on pandemic unemployment payment fall by almost 50% since peak in May

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said she will be announcing initiatives under the Government’s July stimulus package aimed specifically at enabling people to move back into employment.

The number of people claiming the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) has fallen by almost half since it peaked in May, according to the latest figures from the Department of Social Protection.

313,800 people will receive the PUP this week, down from 598,000 on May 5.