Over half a million people were unemployed by the end of March as the coronavirus pandemic cripples Ireland.
Latest figures published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that a total of 513,000 people are receiving some form of social welfare payment.
A total of 283,037 were claiming the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, on top of the 207,200 who were on the seasonally adjusted Live Register.
A further 25,104 people were benefiting from the Wage Subsidy Scheme.
Jobs Minister Regina Doherty said: “This it is perhaps the most unique Live Register data ever published by the CSO and reflects both the huge shock to the labour market arising from the public health measures to address the COVID pandemic and the statistical challenge faced by the CSO to accurately measure unemployment in these circumstances.
“When the last Live Register figures were published, in February, we recorded a further fall in the numbers and we were still talking about being technically at full employment.
"The COVID emergency has completely up-ended that narrative.
"The crucial challenge for the Government is that we don’t let what is a temporary health emergency become a permanent economic crisis.
“The measures we have introduced – at breakneck speed – such as the COVID Unemployment Payment, an enhanced illness benefit scheme, the extension of the fuel allowance grant and the wage subsidy scheme are providing immediate relief and have shown that this country can rise to significant challenges, that its people can, and do, support each other in times of need."
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