The majority of Donegal workers on Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) will receive double pay today as part of their Christmas bonus.
A Christmas Bonus of €2,974,255 is to be paid into the bank accounts of 10,389 Donegal people this Tuesday, averaging at €282 per person.
There are currently 12,375 people in Donegal registered as being out of work due to the pandemic. Those who qualified for the Christmas bonus have been in receipt of the unemployment support for at least 4 months since March.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Donegal TD, Charlie McConalogue, is asking people who received the bonus to use it to shop locally.
Minister McConalogue commented: “I welcome the news that almost €3m will begin being paid into the bank accounts of over 10,000 Donegal people in receipt of the PUP payment today.
“2020 has been a year like no other for so many people who lost their employment in Donegal. It’s also been an extremely difficult year for local 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.
“By shopping locally, Donegal people are supporting their local economy, their local community and their local small businesses.”
The 100% Christmas Bonus will be paid mainly to pensioners, people with disabilities, carers and lone parents.
One of the first groups to receive the Christmas Bonus are recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).