The Department of Social Protection has confirmed that a total of €73 million year will be issued this week to bank accounts as part of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).
This includes €1 million paid in arrears to people who have been made unemployed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The latest figures from the Department show 244,197 people claiming the welfare payment in Ireland, a decrease of over 23,000 people to the lowest level it has been since October 2020.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys welcomed the decline in claims, stating: “ More and more people are returning to work and the numbers relying on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment continues to fall week by week.
“This clearly demonstrates that Ireland is re-opening its economy successfully and I want to pay tribute to both workers and employers for the role they are playing.
“It is very encouraging to see businesses re-open and employees returning to work, in particular in the accommodation and food services sector.
“As the economy continues to re-open in July, I am confident we will see the overall PUP numbers continue to fall in the weeks to come as more and more people return to their jobs or take up new employment opportunities.”
The Department confirmed they are continuing to carry out a series of pre and post payment checks on all PUP claims which include continuing eligibility checks. Subject to these checks being cleared the Department then processes payments based on the clients’ self-declaration.
The Department runs post payment checks that includes verifying data against Revenue records, examining cases where the same Bank account is used multiple times, examining cases where an employer or members of the public report concerns, and the use of data analytics to identify and check claims. It also undertakes employer inspections.
This work is undertaken by the Department’s Special Investigation Unit, which includes over 20 Gardaí on secondment to the Department.
PUP claim checkpoints
The figures come as the Department have begun to clamp down on PUP claims with the inclusion of the Multi Agency Vehicle Checks (MAVCs) alongside members of the gardaí and Revenue.
At checkpoints, where gardaí could inspect a person's motor tax they will now inspect a person's eligibility to claim the PUP, targeting commercial vehicles, truck and lorry drives and taxis.
A spokesperson for the Department of Social Welfare said: " "MAVCs are set up by An Garda Síochana and planned in consultation with other participating agencies; the Department, Revenue and Customs.
"They focus on vehicle tax evasion, road traffic or road safety irregularities, Revenue Customs irregularities or suspected social welfare fraud."
Earlier in June, gardaí and customs officials interviewed passengers on their PUP entitlements, which has resulted in a number of follow-up investigations.
The Department also runs post payment checks that includes verifying data against Revenue records, examining cases where the same bank account is used multiple times, examining cases where an employer or members of the public report concerns, and the use of data analytics to identify and check claims. It also undertakes employer inspections.
For other businesses, inspectors will be conducting control reviews and matching records against employer payroll data from the Revenue Commissioners to help ensure people close their claim as they return to work.
From the July 1, the PUP will be closed to new applications and individuals who lose their employment from that date should apply for a jobseeker’s payment or another welfare payment.
