Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue and giving me an opportunity to allay people's concerns. The Christmas bonus is really important, particularly for people who are on low and fixed incomes. It gives pensioners an opportunity to buy presents for their grandchildren. It gives people on very low incomes an opportunity to meet the inevitable bills that come with Christmas. I can assure the Deputies that the Christmas bonus will be paid this year.

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