The Christmas bonus will be paid to social welfare recipients this year.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has confirmed the payment will go ahead as it has for the past few years.
Media reports this morning had suggested the Christmas bonus wouldn’t be paid, but the government has denied that.
Meanwhile rural roads are in for a boost in the Budget too, it’s speculated.
The Taoiseach says more money may be put towards upgrading the rural road network.
Independent TD Michael Lowry said the government needs to focus more investment towards rural Ireland:
