Over 600 people in the Shannonside region have received up to 450 euro a week in social welfare since losing their jobs this year.
A new Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit was introduced in March.
Since the end of March, those who become unemployed can claim jobseeker's benefit at a substantially higher rate.
That's because of the introduction of a new Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit, based on your number of PRSI contributions and previous earnings.
The maximum rate is 450 euro a week, and you can get it for up to nine months.
Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary says over 27,000 people have got the payment since it was brought in.
That includes 128 in Leitrim, 197 in Longford, and 280 in Roscommon.
Nationally, the average amount someone who was eligible for nine months of the payment got was 357 euro a week.
