The number of people on the PUP in Galway has fallen by almost 800 in the past week as the country prepares for a phased reopening of society in the coming weeks.
Nationally the number of workers receiving a payment this week has fallen below 400,000 for the first time this year, with over 12,600 people closing their PUP account since last Tuesday.
A total of 20,987 people in Galway will receive a PUP payment today, down from 21,783 on 27 April. 609 workers in Galway closed their claims to return to work.
The government paid €114.1 million into bank accounts today, taking the total cost of the PUP to date to over €7.4 billion.
The sectors with the largest number of employees closing their PUP claims to return to work are Construction (3,729), Wholesale and Retail Trade (1,794), and Accommodation and Food Service activities sector (1,418).
Speaking today, Minister Heather Humphreys said that for the first time this year, the number of people in receipt of the PUP has fallen below the 400,000 mark.
“This is a very positive development and reflects the start of the recovery phase from this pandemic,” she said.
“As restrictions are eased further over the coming weeks, tens of thousands more people will be in a position to close their PUP claims as their industries re-open and they return to work.”
Minster Humphreys said that for people who are not yet in a position to return to work, the PUP will continue to be paid at its current rates and will remain open to new entrants until June 30th.
“At the end of May, we will set out the future of PUP post June 30th taking account of the trajectory of the virus, progress on the vaccine roll out and the continued impact of the pandemic on the economy over the months ahead.”
