The number of claimants under the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) in the agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining and quarrying sectors has been increasing in recent weeks.

The latest payment figures, issued by the Department of Social Protection for people receiving the payment today (Tuesday, February 2) show that 7,078 people across these sectors are in line for payment.

This is a slight increase on the figure for last week, which was 6,999. The figures have continued to increase during the current lockdown. This week’s figure is almost 3,000 greater than the number of recipients as of December 21 last, the last payment run before Christmas.

However, the number of claimants in these sectors on a weekly basis over the past month have not reached the same level as during the first lockdown early last year.

The highest weekly payment figure for these sectors during the first lockdown was 8,600, which occurred on May 5.

These sectors, when grouped together, are in receipt of the third-lowest number of payments this week. The electricity, gas supply, water supply, sewerage and waste management sectors will see the lowest number of recipients, at 1,621; while real estate and related sectors will receive 6,346 payments this week.

The sectoral groups that will see the highest number of payments this week are: accommodation and food services (111,809); wholesale, retail and motor vehicle repair (76,367); and construction (62,534).

In total this week, €144.1 million will be paid out to 479,633 claimants across all sectors under the PUP.

The number of overall recipients is a slight increase (1%) on the figure from last week.

Dublin is the county with the highest number of people who are receiving the PUP this week at 148,617. It is followed by Cork with 49,184 and Galway with 25,452.

Some 50% of those receiving the PUP are on the maximum rate of €350 per week.