The number of people receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment has dropped by just under 8,000 in the past week to 67,434.
Figures from the Department of Social Protection show that almost €17 million in PUP payments will be paid out this week.
Over €9.1 billion has been paid out in PUP payments since the support was introduced.
Once again, the highest number of people receiving the payment this week were in the accommodation and food services sector, followed by wholesale and retail trade.
In terms of age, the highest number of PUP recipients were in the 35-44 age group.
"With the economy now fully re-open, it is welcome to see the number of people receiving the PUP fall over the past seven days, with further decreases expected in the weeks to come," said Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys.
"In the meantime, we will continue to roll-out the suite of supports under the Government's Pathways to Work Strategy, which will be key as we embark on our recovery from Covid-19," she added.
Having re-opened for workers who had been impacted by the restrictions in early December, the PUP closed for new applications on 22 January 2022.
The next phase in the process of transitioning people from PUP onto standard jobseeker terms, which was due to commence at the end of January was deferred for a period of 4 weeks.
The Department said it now expects the PUP will be fully closed by the end of March.
It said it will contact all recipients in the coming days to explain how the transition process affects them and the steps they may need to take to ensure a smooth transition.
The PUP figures published today are in addition to the 162,578 people who were on the Live Register at the end of January.
The figures also show that 18,254 people received the Enhanced Illness Benefit (EIB) payment between 28 January and 3 February, valued at €7 million.
This scheme is designed to support people who are diagnosed with Covid-19 or who need to self-isolate in line with HSE guidelines or the advice of a GP.
The total amount paid in EIB to date is €235.9 million.
