That's a 15% rise on last week.
Over 3,500 people are claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment in the midlands this week.
That's an increase of almost 15% on the same day last week - with the hospitality, accommodation and retail sectors the worst hit by covid-related lay-offs.
Westmeath has the highest number of those relying on the payment with 1,355, followed by 1,117 in Laois and 1,064 in Offaly.
The figures represent a huge drop-off in the amount of people claiming, which at the height of the crisis was over 30,000 in the region.
€19.3 million is being paid out nationally this week, with the total value of supports delivered since the start of the pandemic standing at over €9 billion.
€114m Westmeath Wastewater Upgrade Complete
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