The number of people in Ireland claiming temporary COVID-19-related jobless benefits fell below 200,000 last week for the first time since the payment was introduced last year after dropping by 5% week-on-week as indoor hospitality services resumed, government data has shown.
Just Over 190,000 Recipients
Just over 190,000 people received the payment for those that lost their jobs due to one COVID-19-related lockdowns. A further 3,770 people who also closed their claims in recent days will fall off the total this week.
Numbers Expected To Keep Falling Following Indoor Hospitality Services Resumption
Ministers expect the numbers to keep falling in the coming weeks after the resumption of indoor hospitality services for individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and individuals who have recovered from the virus on Monday July 26. Ireland's unemployment rate stood at 18.3% at the end of June, including recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).
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