The number of people receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment this week is down 9,200 compared to last week, new figures from the Department of Social Protection show.
Just under 212,000 people will claim payments totaling €62.7m this week.
The department said 7,500 closed their PUP claim in the past week as they return to work.
The largest reduction in claims came in the accommodation and food services sector, which is also the sector with the largest number of overall claimants at 50,754.
When it comes to age, the greatest decrease this week was once again in the under 25 age group with 45,881 receiving the PUP compared with 50,437 last week.
Dublin is still the county with the highest number of people who are receiving the payment at 78,042.
In addition to the PUP, a further 175,281 are currently on the live register.
The department continues to ask people to confirm they continue to be eligible to claim the PUP by July 20 by logging on to mywelfare.ie.
Last week the PUP closed to new entrants, as the Government begins the slow process of winding down the scheme, which has cost more than €8.2bn since it was introduced last year.
