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The Government has not yet made a decision on the Christmas bonus for recipients of social assistance this year.
The bond allows long-term welfare recipients to receive a double payment in one of the weeks leading up to Christmas.
But now that thousands of people are receiving Pandemic Unemployment Pay, it has been suggested that the budget might not allow for a bonus this year.
Speaking today, Public Spending Minister Michael McGrath said: “Regarding the Christmas bonus, no final decision has been made at this time.
“We are very aware, on the one hand, that it has been a very difficult year for many people, including many people who lost their jobs.
“But on the other hand, the treasury is in a very tense position as a result of all the additional costs that we have had to incur, so we will evaluate all the different considerations in the coming days.”
“And I would hope, together with Minister Heather Humphreys, to confirm the position next week.”
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said last month: “We are already going to have a very, very large deficit for this year, but I also know that the Christmas Bond provides a lot of support to those who need it at an important time of year. . “
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