More than half a million people received the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment today.
The Department of Social Protection says 533,000 payments were processed.
Of those, around 54,000 are receiving it for the first time.
Meanwhile, 42,000 employers have registered for the Temporary Covid-19 Wage Subsidy scheme.
There are 12,900 people in receipt of a pandemic unemployment payment in Waterford.
While 1,000 people in Waterford are medically certified for meeting the conditions for receipt of a Covid-19 Enhanced Illness Benefit payment, as of April 10th.
Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty said:
"With just over 50,000 additional payments approved in the last week, these figures would suggest that we are perhaps reaching a plateau in terms of those on the Covid payment. Furthermore, increasing numbers of employers are participating in the wage subsidy scheme and approximately 1.4m are still in full time work.
"It is clear that we are living through the most challenging of times. Never before has there been such a need for welfare support from workers and employers, with more than three years’ worth of claims being processed in less than a month. My Department has risen to the challenge and has enhanced our online facilities making it quick and easy for people to apply for an emergency Covid-19 unemployment payment, the enhanced Illness Benefit or indeed to close their Covid-19 claim, or change their payment details. I am very proud of the quick and efficient response of my Department and all that the staff have achieved over the past month.
"This is a temporary health crisis but it needn’t be a permanent economic emergency. As we reach the plateau of those on income support, we hope to bend and lower that curve also - getting as many back to work as soon as possible as and when the health environment permits."
You can apply online at www.MyWelfare.ie
