The Christmas bonus will be paid to more than 1.6 million people in early December.

MORE THAN 1.6 million people will receive the State Christmas Bonus this year, with a total of 390 million euros to pay.

The bonus, which is 100% of the recipients’ normal weekly social assistance payment, will be paid in the week beginning December 7.

This year, the bonus applies to those who are on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, provided they have been receiving it for at least four months since March. It is estimated that 311,270 people who have been in the PUP will receive the Christmas Bonus.

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphries encouraged people to spend the money locally this year to support Irish businesses.

“This will be an injection of 390 million euros into the Irish economy at a time when many small businesses will reopen their doors as restrictions are eased,” he said.

“There are many individuals and families who have lost their job or business as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and have been out of work for several months. The bond will help ease the financial burden on them at this very difficult time. “