There are 1,500 fewer people in receipt of pandemic unemployment payments in Galway this week according to the latest government figures.
24,200 people in Galway received Pandemic Unemployment today, down from 25,700 on June 23 the latest data from the Department of Social Protection and Employment Affairs shows.
In total, the government is now making payments of €153.6 million a week to 439,000 people, a weekly decrease of 26,900 people.
Approximately 14,000 people are receiving their final payment under the scheme today.
There are now also 63,500 employers who have registered with the Revenue Commissioners for the Wage Subsidy Scheme.
This scheme allows employers to keep their staff on the payroll by having the government pay up to 80% the value of their wage.
The scheme is currently supporting an estimated 405,000 employees at businesses around the country.
These payments are in addition to the 225,600 people who were reported on the Live Register as of the end of May.
Newly appointed Minister with responsibility for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said that she is taking over this role at “the most challenging time in our State’s history” when the government is managing unprecedented emergency payments.
“At the outset, I want to acknowledge the work of the Department and its officials in developing two new schemes to meet the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and in continuing to steer them through.”
The Minister said that she is looking forward to working to help people “get back into employment” as quickly as possible.
Monday saw the beginning of Phase 3 of the roadmap for ending COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, with many more businesses allowed to reopen, including the bulk of those in the hospitality sector.
