Figures from the Department of Social Protection show that 286,000 people claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will today receive extra arrears payments totalling just under €130 million.
The figures also indicate that 351,424 people will receive the PUP this week at a cost of €103.65m - reflecting a very minor fall in claimants of just 654, despite the reopening of many businesses.
These jobless figures do not include the 203,172 people reported on the Live Register at the end of October. Next week, 1.6 million social welfare recipients will receive the Christmas Bonus, with 311,270 PUP claimants eligible for the extra payment.