The Christmas Bonus Won’t Be Paid To Social Welfare Recipients This Year

The Christmas bonus is reportedly being scrapped for social welfare and pension recipients this year.

The Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty has been severely criticised over her decision, saying there was “currently no provision for a Christmas bonus in the Department’s allocation for 2018”.

It's hoped she may reverse her decision eventually, which will affect 1.2million people across the country.

Senator Ged Nash told the Irish Mirror: “This payment is crucial to take some pressure off some of the lowest income households in Ireland.

“It must be fully restored and become what it used to be; a double-payment to help lighten the load at Christmas time.”

The bonus, which has been paid out for the past four years in a row, can be worth up to 85% of a regular payment – something which many people rely on in the run-up to Christmas.

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