Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has said that no decision has yet been made on the social welfare Christmas bonus for 2020.
The bonus sees long term social welfare recipients get a double payment in one of the weeks leading up to Christmas.
But with thousands now in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment it has been suggested the Budget might not allow for a bonus this year.
And speaking on Friday morning Paschal Donohoe said that no decision has been made at this stage.
The Minister said: "We have made no decision at all in relation to the Christmas bonus.
“This will be a matter for Minister McGrath and I know that Minister McGrath is engaging now with the Minister for Social Protection in relation to this issue and an announcement will be made on this on Budget day.
"We are already going to have a very, very large deficit for this year but I do know as well that the Christmas Bonus does provide a lot of support to those who need it at an important time of the year."
