More than 3,000 people in Galway went onto the pandemic unemployment payment this week according to the latest department figures.
PUP payments were made to 21,464 people in Galway this week, up from 18,233 the week prior.
Despite the recent Level 5 restrictions reimposed by the government, this is still below the peak number of people on the scheme in Galway of 32,300 in May 2019.
Nationwide there were 398,000 people in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment this week, 62,607 more than the week prior.
This represents a weekly increase of 18.7% of people availing of the scheme amidst the Level 5 lockdown restrictions.
These figures are in addition to the 189,860 people who were reported on the Live Register as of the end of December.
Minister Heather Humphreys said that these figures show the “stark impact” the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to have on the labour market.
“The decisions taken by the Government to impose increased restrictions on sectors such as construction, retail and education were not taken lightly”.
“But these decisions are necessary in order to protect lives, livelihoods and our frontline workers.”
