200,000 people better off with Covid-19 unemployment payment says report

38% of people getting the special Covid-19 payment were previously earning less than €300 a week. 

Nearly 600,000 people are getting the state's €350 a week payment, paid by the Department of Social Protection. 

It means 200,000 people are better off unemployed than they were working. 

The stats are based on a new report by the Department of Business, according to The Irish Times.