{"id":17398,"date":"2020-10-19T11:10:09","date_gmt":"2020-10-19T15:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=17398"},"modified":"2020-10-20T10:11:24","modified_gmt":"2020-10-20T14:11:24","slug":"almost-250000-receiving-pandemic-unemployment-payments-in-ireland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=17398","title":{"rendered":"Almost 250,000 Receiving Pandemic Unemployment Payments In Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"The number of people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) has increased by more than 15,000 in the last week.<\/p>\n

There are now 244,153 people receiving the PUP payment, an increase of 15,295 week-on-week.<\/p>\n

The figures have increased following last week\u2019s decision to move the border counties of Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan to Level 4 of the Government\u2019s pandemic roadmap.<\/p>\n

On Monday, the Department of Social Protection issued payments valued at \u20ac65.5 million, up from \u20ac61.4 million last week.<\/p>\n

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said: \u201cToday\u2019s figures demonstrate the unprecedented challenging times the country is facing as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

\u201cA major factor in managing the behavior of the virus is being able to reduce the number of people we meet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know how difficult it is for people who are being asked to work from home where possible and to refrain from making household visits.\u201d<\/p>\n

With Cabinet meeting on Monday to discuss further coronavirus restrictions, the cost of the PUP could be set to rise again.<\/p>\n

Ms Humphreys said: \u201cI am deeply conscious that people feel anxious and concerned about the prospect of future restrictions.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I know too that we have it in us as a country to get back on top on this virus. We did it before and we will do it again.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo let\u2019s come together and ensure we do what is necessary to protect lives and protect livelihoods.<\/p>\n

\u201cI also want to thank the huge number of people applying for social protection supports who have moved to use our online service www.MyWelfare.ie<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the quickest and easiest way to receive the likes of PUP so I would encourage anyone wishing to avail of supports to do so online.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the past seven days, 3,950 people have closed their claim for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.<\/p>\n

Of these, 2,526 have reported that they were returning to work. Some 1,973 people will be receiving their final payment this week.<\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>