The Christmas bonus is set to be paid to pensioners and other social welfare recipients over the course of the week ahead.

The Department of Social Protection says payments amounting to €221m will be made to pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents, long-term unemployed and others.

The 85% bonus will be paid to 590,000 pensioners and 620,000 other welfare recipients.

Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar said: “I’m very pleased that the Christmas Bonus is being paid again this year. It’s an important payment in the run-up to the festive season, and I’m especially pleased that we have been able to pay it at a rate of 85% of the benefit. This is the highest level of payment since the bonus was abolished by the previous Government.

“The most important impact of the Christmas Bonus is for the recipients. But it also represents a significant boost for local economies with an additional €221 million being made available," he added.

You can see a list of bonus rates below.