This is the thirty-eight issue of the annual Statistical Information on Social Welfare Services report prepared by the Department of Social Protection. It sets out comprehensive data relating to services provided by the department. The year 2020 was an exceptional year for the Department of Social Protection. As the year began, Ireland’s economy was performing steadily with stable economic growth. The sudden arrival of COVID-19 had devastating consequences for public health, the economy and the labour market. The Government introduced a number of supports to cushion the impact to the public of the public health emergency restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. These supports included both an employment income support (COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment) and wage supports (Temporary Wage and Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme).