Press release
Christmas Bonus and Double Child Benefit payments to be paid this week
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has today announced the details for the lump sum social welfare payments that are being paid this week.
Over 1.38 million people will receive the Christmas Bonus payment this week.
The Christmas Bonus provides a 100% increase in the weekly rate of payment for eligible recipients including pensioners, people with disabilities, carers and lone parents.
People will receive the Christmas Bonus in addition to and on the same day that they normally receive their primary payment.
Furthermore, on Tuesday 3 December 2024, 676,000 families, in respect of over 1.27 million children, will receive a double Child Benefit payment.
Announcing the payment details, Minister Humphreys commented:
“This week, we are rolling out more lump sum payments that I secured as part of Budget 2025.
“Throughout the week some 1.4 million people will receive the Christmas Bonus payment. This will support people up and down the country including pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and working families.
“In addition to the Christmas Bonus, on Tuesday we will have the second of our double Child Benefit payments that will support over 1.27 million children across the State. This means that families will receive payments of €280 per child tomorrow.
“These payments mean people will have extra money in their pockets in the run up to Christmas, which will ease the pressure that many households are facing.”
Both the Christmas Bonus and Double Child Benefit payments are paid automatically, people do not need to apply.
The full list of Budget 2025 Social Protection measures is available at gov.ie/DSPbudget2025.
Child Benefit is a monthly payment of €140 for each child. The payment for November and December has been doubled to €280 for each child.
Child Benefit is paid to families with children in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 16 years.
The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their 19th birthday if they are in full-time education or have a disability.
| County | Number of families | Number of children |
| Carlow | 9,283 | 17,341 |
| Cavan | 11,232 | 22,281 |
| Clare | 15,432 | 29,780 |
| Cork | 75,270 | 142,722 |
| Donegal | 22,257 | 43,740 |
| Dublin | 178,897 | 324,064 |
| Galway | 35,198 | 68,193 |
| Kerry | 19,682 | 36,789 |
| Kildare | 37,456 | 69,405 |
| Kilkenny | 12,174 | 23,632 |
| Laois | 12,392 | 24,000 |
| Leitrim | 4,591 | 9,198 |
| Limerick | 27,612 | 52,453 |
| Longford | 6,305 | 12,484 |
| Louth | 21,933 | 41,046 |
| Mayo | 17,374 | 34,123 |
| Meath | 32,249 | 61,090 |
| Monaghan | 8,746 | 18,031 |
| Offaly | 11,106 | 21,270 |
| Roscommon | 8,561 | 17,027 |
| Sligo | 8,776 | 17,070 |
| Tipperary | 22,633 | 43,677 |
| Waterford | 17,562 | 32,982 |
| Westmeath | 14,093 | 26,807 |
| Wexford | 22,948 | 42,870 |
| Wicklow | 22,481 | 41,533 |
The Christmas Bonus will be paid this week. Over 1.38 million people will benefit, including pensioners, people with disabilities, carers and lone parents. Recipients of Illness Benefit for longer than 12 months will also receive the bonus, as they have done in recent years.
| County | Approximate number of recipients |
| Carlow | 18,900 |
| Cavan | 21,300 |
| Clare | 35,200 |
| Cork | 151,000 |
| Donegal | 51,300 |
| Dublin | 325,200 |
| Galway | 67,900 |
| Kerry | 47,000 |
| Kildare | 52,600 |
| Kilkenny | 27,100 |
| Laois | 22,900 |
| Leitrim | 11,200 |
| Limerick | 60,900 |
| Longford | 13,800 |
| Louth | 38,400 |
| Mayo | 42,200 |
| Meath | 47,000 |
| Monaghan | 17,300 |
| Offaly | 23,800 |
| Roscommon | 20,900 |
| Sligo | 20,700 |
| Tipperary | 51,600 |
| Waterford | 36,600 |
| Westmeath | 26,900 |
| Wexford | 49,000 |
| Wicklow | 39,200 |