Almost 348,300 people will receive the Pandemic Unemployment Payment this week, with many also due a double payment reflecting the Christmas bonus.
That is according to the latest figures from the Department of Social Protection. The fall in the number of PUP claimants this week of 3,168 appears relatively low, considering the reopening of the economy and the lifting of Level 5 restrictions.
However, a total of 28,682 claimants closed their claims over the last seven days, with 25,350 stating they were returning to work.
That more significant fall will be reflected in next week's figures. Almost two thirds of those returning to work are female.