Over 443,000 will receive the Pandemic Unemployment Payment this week, a reduction of almost 6,300 over the last week, according to the latest figures from the Department of Social Protection.
These figures are in addition to almost 187,000 people recorded on the Live Register at the end of February.
When combined, 630,000 people are out of work and entirely reliant on the state for income support.
This figure still falls far short of the peak last May when a combined figure of 803,000 were dependent on PUP and Jobseekers benefits.
This week's reduction in PUP claims was seen in all sectors, as 8,303 people reported that they were closing their claims to return to work.
The Accommodation and Food Services sector still accounts for the highest number of people (107,043) receiving PUP this week, followed by Wholesale and Retail Trade (71,099) and Construction (54,314).
The Department of Social Protection confirmed that the construction sector saw the largest decrease in PUP claimants over the last seven days, with a drop of 1,270.
This week's PUP payments will cost over €132 million - and around 48% of recipients are receiving the maximum rate of €350 per week.
The Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys stressed that the Department would retain supports in place for people out of work due to the pandemic, but said there was "light at the end of the tunnel" thanks to the vaccination process.
"I know people are weary and frustrated with the ongoing restrictions. But we must realise that our vaccine rollout is ramping up and we expect one million vaccines per month to arrive in April, May and June," the Minister stated.
The Department also confirmed that the number of people receiving the Covid-19 Enhanced Illness Benefit payment has fallen from 2,134 to 2,066 over the last week, reflecting the national fall in case numbers and infections.
