Covid-19: Almost 52,000 people receive PUP this week as €350 rate restored

11,000 workers who were working in the accommodation and food sector have made a PUP claim since last week. Picture: Julien Behal

51,707 more people have been paid the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) this week as the economic impact of the country's move to Level 5 restrictions begins. 

The Department of Social Protection paid 295,860 people the payment today at a cost of €85m to the state, an increase of €20m spent last week.