There was another steep decline in the number of people in Galway receiving pandemic unemployment this week, with fewer than 4,000 people here still in receipt of the payment.
There are 3,906 people in Galway who received PUP this week, a drop of 819 people since October 19, the last date for which figures are available.
Nationwide there are just under 78,000 people receiving the pandemic unemployment, a fall of more than 15,000 compared with October 19, Â when the equivalent figure was 93,399.
The greatest reduction over the past two weeks has been in the Accommodation and Food Services sector, as it has been since early June.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said that the pandemic continues to pose “significant challenges” across society heading into the winter months.
She encouraged people to explore the idea of continuing to work from home where possible, or adopting a “blended” work style.
“If we have learned one thing about this virus, it’s that it is unpredictable and we cannot at any stage let our guard down.”
“And so in the weeks ahead, let’s all remember the importance of staying at home and self-isolating if we are showing any symptoms.”
The payment week for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment runs from Friday to Thursday and payments are paid on the following Tuesday.
Individuals who have closed their PUP account by Monday, November 1 as they have returned to work, will receive their final payment on Tuesday, November 9.
