4,500 people in Kilkenny share €1.4m Christmas bonus
A total of 4,434 recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) were due to recieve a Christmas bonus today.
The festive payments to Kilkenny PUP recipients amounts to €1,399,398.
Kilkenny TD John Paul Phelan welcomed the payments and said he hopes the money will be invested in the local economy in the countdown to Christmas.
Deputy Phelan added: “Recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) are among the first in the State to begin receiving their Christmas bonus from today. In Kilkenny, 4,434 PUP recipients will receive the 100% bonus, which accumulates to €1,399,398, much of which we hope will be invested in the local economy.
“Of course the Christmas bonus will also be paid to the people who usually receive it, including pensioners, people with disabilities, carers and lone parents.”
In order to qualify for the Christmas bonus payment, anyone claiming the PUP must have been in receipt of the payment for at least four months since March.
Last week the Government also paid out €2.039 milllion in PUP arrears to people in Kilkenny.
Deputy Phelan (pictured below) said: “The PUP has been an essential support for many workers during COVID-19. We look forward to a brighter 2021 with more people coming off the PUP and getting back to work.”
Commenting today on the national picture, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys added: “Overall this week, some €390 million is being paid out in the Christmas Bonus – the highest amount ever.
“And this morning, the Christmas Bonus is being paid into the bank accounts of 283,000 who are in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. 2020 has been a year like no other for so many people who lost their employment. It’s also been an extremely difficult year for businesses.
“As we head towards the Christmas period, I would urge everyone to consider the impact the Pandemic has had and is continuing to have on small businesses.
“I would therefore appeal to everyone who receives their Christmas Bonus today and this week, where possible, to shop local.”
