Major Christmas Bonus Payments update will affect 1.4 million people across Ireland
The Christmas Bonus is paid to a wide range of people in receipt of specific welfare supports across IrelandIt's one of the most expensive times of year and the Christmas bonus will be a welcome respite from the costsThe Minister in charge of delivering the Christmas Bonus Payment to more than 1.4m people across Ireland has issued an update.Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, TD, announced the details for the Christmas Bonus, which is set to be paid to more than 1.4m people this week, including pensioners; carers and people with disabilities.Payments totalling €370 million will be issued from today (Monday), with people receiving their Christmas Bonus on the same day that they usually receive their primary payment.Minister Calleary described the Christmas Bonus Payment as "vital support" and encouraged people to try and shop locally in the run-up to Christmas.Sign up to our new Crime Ireland newsletter and get exclusive content from Michael O'Toole and Paul HealyThe Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week“I am very conscious of the pressure families are under particularly in the run up to Christmas," the Minister said."The Christmas Bonus is a vital support, particularly for our senior citizens. That’s why I am pleased to announce the details of the Christmas Bonus Payments today (Monday). 1.5 million people will benefit including our pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, and lone parents."The Minister continued: "People will receive their Bonus payment on the same day that they usually receive their weekly pension or other primary payment."As always, I would encourage people, where possible, to shop locally in the run-up to Christmas this year. By shopping locally, you are supporting your local economy, your local community and your local small businesses.”The Christmas Bonus is paid to long-term social welfare recipients such as pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, lone parents and long-term unemployed people.Who receives the Christmas Bonus Payment?People who are getting the following payments will get the Christmas bonus:Back to Education Allowance *Back to Work Enterprise AllowanceBack to Work Family DividendBeneficiary of Temporary Protection Weekly PaymentBlind PensionCarer's AllowanceCarer's BenefitCommunity EmploymentDaily Expenses Allowance *Deserted Wife's AllowanceDeserted Wife's BenefitDisability AllowanceDisablement BenefitDomiciliary Care AllowanceFarm AssistGuardian's PaymentIllness Benefit *Invalidity PensionJob Initiative SchemeJobseeker's Allowance *Jobseeker's Transitional PaymentMagdalen Commission SchemeDeath Benefit Scheme (under the Occupational Injuries Scheme)One-Parent Family PaymentPartial Capacity BenefitRural Social SchemeState Pension (Contributory)State Pension (Non-contributory)Supplementary Welfare Allowance (long-term)Tús (community work placement initiative)Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) PensionBereaved Partner’s (Non-Contributory) PensionWork Placement Experience Programme**12 months duration on eligible social welfare payment or scheme is required in order to be eligible for Bonus.The estimated total number of Christmas Bonus Payment recipients this year is 1,471,000, according to the Department of Social Protection.Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
