Thousands still on COVID-19 unemployment payment in Offaly

Some 6,000 people in Offaly continue to receive the weekly COVID-19 pandemic unemployment payment, new figures have shown.

The figures from the Department of Social Protection indicate that the number of payments in Offaly as of today, June 30, has fallen by 300 from the previous week.

ABOVE: A map showing the fall in the level of COVID-19 pandemic unemployment payments since the peak.

Nationally, the Department this week issued payments valued at €153.6m to 439,000 people for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). This represents a decrease of 26,900 on the 465,900 people paid last week.

Since last week’s payment, 25,700 people have closed their claim for a Pandemic Unemployment Payment. Some 14,000 received their final payment today (Tuesday)

As well as those availing of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, there are now over 63,500 employers who have registered with the Revenue Commissioners for the Temporary Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS). An estimated 405,000 employees are currently being supported by the scheme having received a subsidy in their most recent pay period.

The above payments are in addition to the 225,600 people who were reported on the Live Register as of the end of May.

The newly-appointed Minister with responsibility for Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands, Heather Humphreys, said: “I welcome the continuing fall in the numbers of people who are depending on the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. I look forward to working closely with the officials in my Department in making every effort to help people who have lost their jobs get back into employment as quickly as possible.”

900 people in Offaly were among the 51,850 people up to age 66 who have been medically certified for receipt of the Covid-19 Enhanced Illness Benefit.  Just over 7% (3,706) have been diagnosed with Covid-19 while almost 93% (48,144) were required to medically self-isolate.