1.5m to receive Christmas bonus payments

By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Christmas bonus payments totalling €370 million will be paid to around 1.5 million long-term social welfare recipients in Ireland, the Government has announced.

Pensioners, carers and people with disabilities will be among those receiving the bonus on the same day they usually receive their weekly pension or other primary payment.

Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary said: “I am very conscious of the pressure families are under, particularly in the run-up to Christmas.

“The Christmas Bonus is a vital support, particularly for our senior citizens.”