Welfare recipients to see payments double for Christmas period

WELFARE recipients got some early Christmas cheer yesterday with the announcement of an extra €157 million in bonus payments.

Social and Family Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan described the seasonal boost for those on welfare, pension and widow payments among others as a financial lifeline. Payments will be doubled early next month, as part of the traditional annual assistance.

More than 1.2 million welfare recipients as well as their dependents will benefit from the annual bonus.