Fewer than 5,000 in Donegal now in receipt of PUP payment

THERE are now fewer than 5,000 people in Donegal in receipt of a Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

There were 4,740 payments to people in Donegal this week, down from 5,026 last week.

This week, the Department of Social Protection issued weekly payments valued at €46.7 million to 157,712 people in receipt of the PUP.

The greatest reduction this week is in the area of Accommodation and Food Services sector.

The PUP figures published this week are in addition to the 184,213 people who were on the Live Register at the end of July.

Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys said: “It is very encouraging to see more and more people returning to work every week.

“Over 325,000 people have come off the Pandemic Unemployment Payment since February and with many businesses actively advertising for and hiring new staff, I expect this strong trend to continue throughout August.

“It’s important that people remember to close their claim for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment on their first day back at work.”