THE CHRISTMAS BONUS payments are to be paid to approximately 1.5m people this week.
Payments totalling €370m will be issued from today, the Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary announced. People who qualify for the bonus, which include pensioners, carers, and people with disabilities, will receive the bonus on the same day they usually receive their primary payment.
Calleary said he is “very conscious” of the pressure faced by families, particularly in the run-up to Christmas.
“The Christmas Bonus is a vital support, particularly for our senior citizens,” he said.
“That’s why I am pleased to announce the details of the Christmas Bonus Payments today. 1.5 million people will benefit including our pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, and lone parents.”
He said he would encourage people where possible to shop locally in the run-up to Christmas.
The bonus is equal to the eligible person’s usual weekly pension or benefit payment, the minimum amount being €20.
The full list of those who qualify for the bonus is available here. It includes those on carer’s benefit, carer’s allowance, pensioners and those on jobseeker’s allowance.
