1.2m people to receive partially reinstated Christmas bonus

Pensioners, carers, the disabled and those on long-term welfare will be among those who receive the partially reinstated Christmas bonus in the next fortnight.

Up to 1.2m people will benefit from the restored bonus, which will be paid in the first week of December.

While amounts will differ, many people will see their welfare payment or weekly allowance — depending on which scheme they fall under — increased by 75% with the bonus.

“At the onset of the difficulties and collapse of the banks, one of the most difficult and resented reductions was the elimination of the Christmas bonus, it has been a feature of Irish social welfare policy over many decades,” Tánaiste Joan Burton said.

She said the restored payment would go out to pensioners, carers and people on long-term social welfare payments and those on disability payments over the coming days.

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin explained the importance of the bonus: “It’s something that will ease the burden on a lot of people for Christmas. There are additional expenditure pressures on people.”

Among those to benefit will be a pensioner couple, who will receive a bonus payment of €328.50. A single person on disability allowance will receive €141 while a person in receipt of a carer’s allowance with two dependent children will get €197.70. A long-term jobseeker with a dependent partner and two dependent children will also receive a bonus of €279.30.

Abolished in 2009 by the last government, the Christmas bonus was partially restored last year and is being increased by 75% this year. The payments will cost more than €200m, but are being frontloaded as part of this year’s spending and will not form part of 2016’s budget.

The Christmas bonus is also being paid to participants of some schemes, including community employment, back to education, the rural social scheme, Gateway, Tus and the back-to-work family dividend.