The Covid-adjusted rate of unemployment rose to 25% in January, up from 19.4% in December, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.
Restrictions, including the closure of shops and restaurants and a ban on travel and home visits, were dropped for most of December but reimposed late in the month after a surge in infections.
The CSO said that the traditional measure of unemployment remained unchanged at 5.8% last month. The rate of unemployment was 15.7% amongst 15-24 year olds and 4.6% among 25-74 year olds.
The Covid-adjusted rate, which includes those receiving the PUP, was 56.4% among 15-24 year olds and 21.4% for 25-74 year olds.