Pandemic unemployment scheme to remain open to new applications until July 7th

The pandemic unemployment scheme is to remain open to new applications up to and including July 7th, the Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has said.

She said the Government agreed on Tuesday to the extension in light of the decision to defer the planned July 5th reopening of indoor hospitality. The scheme had been due to close to applicants on June 30th.

She said it meant that people who had already returned to work to prepare for an anticipated reopening of their business in areas such as pubs or restaurants would not be disadvantaged.

Ms Humphreys also said she had secured Government approval to extend the special Covid-19 illness benefit – paid at €350 per week – until February 8th, 2022. This payment is available to people who are diagnosed with Covid-19 or who are a probable source of infection.

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The Minister said: “”This is an important payment that supports people who are diagnosed with Covid-19 or who are asked to remain away from work as a probable source of infection. It is important to make sure that people who are diagnosed as ill or who are required to self-isolate do not feel the need to attend the workplace.”

The Department of Social Protection said on Tuesday that just under 228,000 people received the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) this week. It said this represented a decrease of over 16,000 on last week.

The department said the largest reduction in the number of people receiving the benefit, of over 7,000, was in the accommodation and food services sector.

The 227,982 people receiving the PUP is in addition to the 171,699 people who were on the Live Register at the end of May.

The Department of Social Protection said: “Dublin is the county with the highest number of people who are receiving the pandemic unemployment payment this week at 82,529. It is followed by Cork (20,756) and Galway (12,296).

“The sector with the highest number of people receiving the pandemic unemployment payment this week is accommodation and food service activities (57,722), followed by wholesale and retail trade (34,539) and administrative and support service activities (24,271).”