The number of pandemic unemployment payments issued to people in Galway decreased again this week, as the number of recipients nationally fell below 150,000 for the first time.
Figures from the Department of Social Protection show that a total of 7,900 people received a payment this week in Galway, down from 8,120 last Tuesday – a decrease of 220.
Nationally, 149,000 people received the Pandemic Unemployment Payment this week at a cost of €44.2 million.
Commenting on this week’s figures, Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys said: “We are seeing week-by-week reductions in the number of people receiving the PUP – reflecting the steady progress we are making in rolling out the vaccination programme and the continued reopening of the economy.”
The county with the highest number of people receiving PUP is Dublin, which stands at 56,900, followed by Cork (13,162) and Galway (7,900).