Numbers claiming Pandemic Unemployment Payment in Kerry down 68% from the peak

The number of people in Kerry claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is down 68% from the peak in May.

That’s according to details from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

Over 8,000 people in Kerry are continuing to receive COVID-19 welfare payments this week.

The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is for employees and the self-employed who are fully out of work due to COVID-19.

This week the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection issued payments valued at €71.7 million to 230,400 people across the country, down 2,000 since last week, and a 61% drop on the 598,000 paid at its peak on May 5th.

In Kerry, 7,100 people are getting the Pandemic Unemployment Payment this week; that’s down 100 on last week, and represents a drop of 68% from the 22,200 claiming it at the peak on May 5^th.

Among them are 150 people who have informed the Department they’re returning to work and have closed their payment this week.

The COVID-19 Illness Benefit is for people who have been medically certified to self-isolate or have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

In Kerry, 1,200 people are getting this payment this week, up 100 on last week.