The Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty has dismissed reports that the annual Christmas bonus is to be scrapped this year.
Speaking before the Oireachtas Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Ms Doherty confirmed that the bonus will not be scrapped despite previous reports suggesting it would be.
Ms Doherty said she wanted to put the minds of those concerned at ease and neither she or the Government have discussed scrapping the payment which is handed out in December.
The latest developments will be welcomed by thousands of social welfare recipients as the bonus which is equivalent of 85% of their weekly payment has been handed out over the past four years.