 
                            The Department of Employment and Social Protection released the latest figures this morning.
300 fewer people in the midlands are receiving the Covid-19 unemployment payment.
The Department of Employment and Social Protection released the latest figures this morning.
A total of 28,500 people in the region will receive a payment from the Department this week.
There's been a decrease of 200 in Westmeath from 11,000 to 11,300.
Laois is the other county with a drop in figures.
8,400 are in receipt of the unemployment scheme there, down 100 from last week.
The figure of 8,800 in Offaly remains unchanged.
Accommodation and food services remain the worst areas hit with over 124,000 getting the €350 per week.
It's expected next week will see a significant drop in the overall number as some of the 76,600 construction workers who are unemployed return to work along with those in some retail sectors.
 
                             
                             Popular Laois Forest Named In Coillte Top 20
            Popular Laois Forest Named In Coillte Top 20
         Laois Author Recounts First Meeting With F1 Legend Eddie Jordan
            Laois Author Recounts First Meeting With F1 Legend Eddie Jordan
         Truck Driver Jailed For Five Years Over €2.8m Cocaine Haul
            Truck Driver Jailed For Five Years Over €2.8m Cocaine Haul
         ESB Networks Invests €6.5m In Laois Training Centre
            ESB Networks Invests €6.5m In Laois Training Centre
         Offaly GAA Calls For End To Allianz Sponsorship
            Offaly GAA Calls For End To Allianz Sponsorship
         IFA Concerned Over Rushed Safeguard Approval For Mercosur
            IFA Concerned Over Rushed Safeguard Approval For Mercosur 
         Westmeath Refuge Centres Step Up Support For Women And Children
            Westmeath Refuge Centres Step Up Support For Women And Children
         Frightfully Fun Events Taking Place In The Midlands This Halloween
            Frightfully Fun Events Taking Place In The Midlands This Halloween
         Social Finance Boosts Westmeath Boat Club
            Social Finance Boosts Westmeath Boat Club
         Westmeath Gardaí Confiscate €7k In Illegal Cannabinoids
            Westmeath Gardaí Confiscate €7k In Illegal Cannabinoids
         Laois Councillor Honoured For 40 Years Of Public Service
            Laois Councillor Honoured For 40 Years Of Public Service
         Laois Man Appears In Court After €8m Cocaine Find
            Laois Man Appears In Court After €8m Cocaine Find
         Revenue Offering Help For Couriers After Fastway Closure
            Revenue Offering Help For Couriers After Fastway Closure
         Anonymous Westmeath Man Donates Unclaimed Cash To Charity
            Anonymous Westmeath Man Donates Unclaimed Cash To Charity
         Offaly Fianna Fail Councillor Adds To Scrutiny Of Taoiseach
            Offaly Fianna Fail Councillor Adds To Scrutiny Of Taoiseach 
         Midlands Macra Clubs Shine In National Awards
            Midlands Macra Clubs Shine In National Awards
         High Court To Decide On Seizing Cars Used By Enoch Burke
            High Court To Decide On Seizing Cars Used By Enoch Burke 
         Man Charged Over €8m Cocaine Seizure in Laois
            Man Charged Over €8m Cocaine Seizure in Laois
         Laois TD Criticises Rural Planning Requirements
            Laois TD Criticises Rural Planning Requirements
         Westmeath Company Up For Business & Finance Award
            Westmeath Company Up For Business & Finance Award