10,743 Mayo people in receipt of pandemic payment

THE Department of Social Protection has issued weekly payments valued at €118.04 million to 398,206 people in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) today.

The number of people receiving a payment this week represents an increase of 62,607 (18.7%) on the 335,599 paid last week.

In Mayo, the figure rose by 1,800 – from 8,942 on January 5 to 10,743 people this week.

All Covid-19 PUP payments issued will be in recipients’ bank accounts or at their post office today (Tuesday).

As the latest restrictions kicked in, the sector that has seen the highest increase in people receiving PUP this week is wholesale and retail. Some 65,300 people working in this sector will receive a payment today, compared to 46,853 last week.

This is followed by the construction sector which has seen an increase in PUP recipients from 23,080 last week compared to 32,151 this week. The number of people in this sector in receipt of PUP is expected to increase further next week following the imposing of restrictions that took effect last Friday evening.

Speaking on the latest figures, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said: “This week’s figures show that just short of 400,000 are now in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

“These statistics outline the stark impact the Covid-19 Pandemic continues to have on the labour market.

“The decisions taken by the government to impose increased restrictions on sectors such as construction, retail and education were not taken lightly.

“But these decisions are necessary in order to protect lives, livelihoods and our frontline workers.

“It is essential that every individual and family follows the health guidelines if we are to suppress the virus. Now more than ever, we need to stay at home as much as possible, limit our contacts, maintain our social distance and wash our hands. The more we comply with the guidelines, the sooner we can begin to re-open the economy.”

PUP remains available to anyone who is eligible - apply via mywelfare.ie.

Added the minister: “I would also strongly advise businesses to consider availing of the Employment Wage Subsidy scheme and the Covid Restrictions Support scheme – administered by Revenue - during the current restrictions. These are designed to protect businesses and seek to maintain the important link between businesses and their employees during these extremely difficult times.”