OVER 1.2 million social welfare recipients in Ireland are to recieve €219million from the Irish Government.
Payments will be made to hundresds of thousands of people including pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and long-term unemployed people.
Over 630,000 pensioners and 580,000 other social welfare recipients will receive the payment.
The majority of people are expected to receive the bonus this week.
See below for a breakdown of who gets what...
(Picture: Department of Social Welfare)The Irish Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty said: “I am very pleased that the Christmas bonus is being paid again this year.
"Not only is it a welcome additional support for social welfare customers in the run-up to Christmas – in many cases, the money is spent locally and provides a real boost for local economies."
Some of the homeless will be among them.
Dermot Kirwan, a volunteer with the Morning Star Hostel in Dublin's North Inner City, says the cost of being homeless is greater than you might think, and the Christmas bonus can literally be a life-saver.
"Being on the streets during the day is a very expensive way of living," he said.
"You can't cook your own food. You're either buying cooked food, you try to stay warm - there's only so long you can stay in a library, and it's not advisable to be in a pub all day - so you're spending money. It's costly.
"For homeless people, and a homeless man, in particular, the Christmas bonus is very much appreciated."
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