Latest figures from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection show that 465,900 people are now receiving the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment - a drop of 32,800 over the last week.
At the peak of the Covid-19 crisis, 598,000 people who had lost their jobs were claiming the PUP. Since last week, 30,000 people have closed their PUP claim, and 17,900 will be receiving their final payment tomorrow.
A further 225,600 unemployed people are reported on the Live Register as of the end of May. The downward trend in PUP claims reflects the return to work by many claimants as the economy gradually reopens - though some of those will be returning to jobs that are now being subsidised by the State through the Temporary Wage