Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 835: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the Exchequer savings arising from the abolition of the Christmas bonus in 2009 for social welfare recipients; the number of payments involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38194/09]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 868: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she still proposes to abolish the Christmas bonus in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38629/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 835 and 868 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 while the overall number of recipients affected is estimated to be 986,000.