PUP numbers jump by over 15% in the last week
Updated / Monday, 18 Jan 2021
16:18
Industry and Employment Correspondent
Some 460,000 people will receive the Pandemic Unemployment Payment this week - an increase of over 15% in the last seven days, according to the Department of Social Protection.
The 62,715 rise in claims reflects the re-introduction of tighter public health restrictions and more business closures as the prevalence of Covid-19 has risen in recent weeks.
Construction saw the highest weekly increase of almost 75%, rising from 32,152 last week to 56,217 people, following the closure of many sites on Friday 9 January.
However, today s total for PUP claims still falls short of the peak of around 600,000 claims last May.