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Rollingnews.ie
File photo: Construction workers can return to the job from today.
# Coronavirus
Slight fall in number of Covid-19 unemployment payments for second week in a row
Workers who previously received the payment are advised to close their claim on the day they return to work.
THERE ARE 4,000 fewer people receiving the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment this week compared to the same time last week, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) has said.
€204.6 million worth of payments were issued to 585,000 people today as part of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). This is a reduction of 5,000 people compared to last Monday.
Last week, the number fell for the first time since the payment was launched on 16 March.
The €350 per week pandemic payments will be in bank accounts or local post offices tomorrow.
The highest number of people receiving the payments are in Dublin, Cork and Galway.
7,000 people are receiving the payment for the first time this week.
The country entered Phase One of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown today as hardware stores and garden centres reopened to some degree and construction work recommenced.
Workers starting back at their jobs need to close their claim for the emergency payment on the date they start back at work. This can be done online.
Any queries can be directed to the department’s income support helpline at 1890 800 024 which operated weekdays from 9am to 5pm.
The sectors so far with the most workers in receipt of the emergency payment are accommodation and food service (124,500), wholesale and retail (87,600) and construction (76,600).
Note: The Department of Welfare initially provided incorrect figures reported in the second paragraph of this piece. They have since been amended.
