Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost to the Exchequer of returning the social welfare Christmas bonus. [36815/09]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 457: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will restore the Christmas bonus for social welfare recipients in 2009. [37280/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 457 together.

Each year the Government makes a decision on the payment of the Christmas Bonus having regard to the prevailing economic circumstances. This year it has been necessary for the Government to take steps to reduce overall public expenditure so as to restore order and stability to the public finances.

In this context, the decision was made that the Christmas Bonus would not be paid in 2009. The decision was announced in the April 2009 Supplementary Budget. The payment of a 100% Christmas bonus in 2009 would cost an estimated €223 million.