The jump comes a week after the entire country was placed on Level 3 restrictions.
The number of people claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment in the midlands has increased for the first time since April.
A total of just over 9,500 people in the region will receive the payment today - with Westmeath recording an increase of 690 on last week, a rise of 408 in Laois, while Offaly is up by 358.
The jump comes a week after the entire country was placed on Level 3 restrictions.
Nationally, there's a rise in 23,265 people receiving the PUP payment compared to last week, with 1 in 3 of those working in the hospitality sector.
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