A total of €7.3 million in Pandemic Unemployment Payment arrears will be made to more than 16,300 people in Galway. One local politician has called it "an immense boost to households and families ahead of Christmas".
The payments were confirmed this week by the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys. The number of people in Galway with active Pandemic Unemployment Payment claims this week is 19,500, a slight decrease on last week and a substantial drop from 32,300 at the start of May.
.
Fine Gael Senator, Sean Kyne has welcomed the news, saying they will be "a boost for households and for businesses which are re-opening this week". He added that the PUP is "a lifeline to individuals and families who have been worst affected by the economic impact of Covid-19".
Also from this week, the Christmas Bonus payment is being made to thousands of people in Galway, including older people on the State Pension as well as carers, and people with disabilities, among others. Given the impact of Covid 19, the Christmas Bonus is also being paid to people who have been in receipt of PUP and jobseekers payments for four months or more.
