ALMOST 600 more people from Donegal will receive a Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) this week.
The number of people in Donegal in receipt of a PUP has risen by 589, to 9,119 from 8,530 last week.
In the last wee, 88 people in the county closed their PUP to return to work.
Today, the Department of Social Protection issued payments valued at €65.5 million, up from €61.4m last week, to 244,153 people in receipt of the PUP.
The number of people receiving a PUP payment this week represents an increase of 15,295 on the 228,858 people paid last week.
The sector with the highest number of people receiving a PUP payment this week is Accommodation and Food Service Activities (79,369). It is followed by Wholesale and Retail Trade (31,834) and Administrative and Support Service activities (23,273).
“Today’s figures demonstrate the unprecedented challenging times the country is facing as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD.
“A major factor in managing the behaviour of the virus is being able to reduce the number of people we meet.
“I know how difficult it is for people who are being asked to work from home where possible and to refrain from making household visits.
“But the best way we can protect the people we care about the most is to follow the public health advice: Reduce your contacts, wash your hands, wear your mask, and observe social distancing.
“I am deeply conscious that people feel anxious and concerned about the prospect of future restrictions.
“But 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.”
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