The number of people claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment has risen by more than 23,000 in the last seven days, according to the latest figures from the Department of Social Protection.
Some 228,858 people will receive the PUP this week compared to just under 206,000 a week ago. The 11% increase coincides with the government decision to extend Level 3 restrictions beyond Dublin and Donegal to the whole of the country.
The number of under-25s claiming the payment soared by 23% over the same period - from 44,724 to 54,999. 4,931 people closed their PUP claims over the last seven days and 2,138 will receive their final payment tomorrow.