Killarney’s Christmas parade.
Around 50,000 people in Kerry will benefit from the Christmas Bonus payment in what has been dubbed a “timely and vital boost” for households across the county.
Payments totalling €370m will be paid to approximately 1.5 million long-term social welfare recipients such as pensioners, carers and people with disabilities.
Fianna Fáil TD for Kerry, Michael Cahill, welcomed the payments, describing them as “hugely important” for beneficiaries.
“With the added pressures families face in the lead-up to Christmas, this payment will provide real help at a crucial time,” he said.
“This support is hugely important for pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, lone parents and many others who rely on social protection payments.”
The bonus will be issued from today, with the minimum amount being €20. Recipients will be sent the payment on the same day that they usually receive their primary payment.
The Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, said: “I am very conscious of the pressure families are under particularly in the run up to Christmas.”
“The Christmas Bonus is a vital support, particularly for our senior citizens.”
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme
