The Government have not yet made a decision on the Christmas bonus for social welfare recipients this year.
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.
Speaking today, Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath said: "In relation to the Christmas bonus, no final decision has been made at this point in time.
"We are very conscious on the one hand that it has been a very difficult year for many people, including many people who lost their jobs.
"But on the other hand the exchequer is in a very strained position as a result of all of the additional costs that we have had to incur so we will weigh up all of the different considerations in the next number of days.
"And I would expect, along with Minister Heather Humphreys, to confirm the position next week."
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said last month: "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."
