1.5 Million People to Receive Christmas Bonus Welfare Payments This Week
This week, nearly 1.5 million individuals from low-income households are set to receive their welfare Christmas bonus. Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, emphasized the financial strain many families face during the holiday season.
Details of the Christmas Bonus Payments
The Christmas bonus amounts to 100% of the usual welfare payment for beneficiaries. A total of 1,471,000 recipients will receive this financial support. The bonus will be distributed on the same day as their regular payments, which include pensions, disability support, and benefits for lone parents.
Payment Breakdown
The Christmas bonus will provide varying amounts based on the type of welfare payment:
- One Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker’s Benefit: €244 per week
- Carer’s Allowance: €261 per week
- State Pension (Contributory): €289.30 per week
Overall, the total disbursement for the Christmas bonus will reach €370 million.
Beneficiaries Across the Country
The distribution of the payments varies by region. The following numbers reflect the beneficiaries in major areas:
- Dublin: 348,200 recipients
- Cork: 159,100 recipients
- Limerick: 64,300 recipients
Conversely, the counties with the fewest recipients are as follows:
- Leitrim: 11,800 recipients
- Longford: 13,900 recipients
- Monaghan: 18,600 recipients
Supporting Local Economies
Minister Calleary urged locals to consider shopping within their communities during this holiday season. He stressed that supporting small businesses contributes to the vitality of local economies.
As families prepare for Christmas, this bonus serves as crucial support, especially for senior citizens and other vulnerable populations. The government’s initiative aims to alleviate some of the pressures faced during this festive period.
