The Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty has moved to reassure people who receive social welfare payments by declaring that the annual Christmas bonus will be paid despite the ongoing political turmoil in the Dáil.
Ms Doherty’s announcement comes recent reports suggested the annual bonus could have been put in jeopardy given the prospect of an early General Election.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Radio One Today with Sean O’Rourke programme the minister for social protection confirmed that the 85% bonus payment will be handed despite the ongoing situation surrounding the Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald.
However Ms Doherty did reveal the proposed €5 weekly pay increase due to be issued next March for a number of welfare recipients is in doubt.
Ms Doherty told the programme that despite recent speculation the Government have begun the process of handing out the Christmas bonus which is due to be issued in early December.
Although the issue of implementing the weekly pay increase has been halted in its tracks with the current crisis in the Dáil cited as the main reason.
It is expected the Government will spend an estimated €219m on the Christmas bonus which has been the subject of some debate in the past.