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Smith welcomes Governments commitment to Christmas Bonus payments for 1.3 Millioin Social Welfare recipeints
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Cavan/ Monaghan T.D., Mr. Brendan Smith has welcomed Government confirmation that a Christmas bonus of over €200 million is to be paid to 1.3 million people in receipt of social welfare.
To be paid in early December, a wide range of welfare recipients will get a double payment to assist them with the extra costs associated with Christmas. Among those to benefit will be widows, widowers, pensioners, one-parent families and long-term unemployed, who are all very dependent on social welfare support.
“I am delighted that my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms. Mary Hanafin, T.D., has been in a position to confirm that these eagerly awaited payments are to go ahead. Many families and individuals in Cavan and Monaghan factor in these bonus payments as part of their resources to meet the financial demands which Christmas brings. Despite the very serious challenges the public finances are now facing, the Government took the decision to protect this important payment for so many people and for the ninth year in succession will be providing a 100% Christmas bonus.
Despite the scare mongering of some of the opposition, this Fianna Fail led Government remains committed to the improvement of social services and over the last few years there has been record increases in a range of social welfare schemes such as the old age pension and child benefit”, Minister Smith said.
