More than 1.2m social welfare customers are to receive the partially restored Christmas bonus this week.

A bonus of 25% will be paid to all long-term welfare recipients, including pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and long-term jobseekers in recognition of the position of vulnerable households.

Tánaiste Joan Burton has said the payments "will help these people to meet some of the additional costs around the Christmas season".

The Government announced in Budget 2015 that the Christmas bonus would be partially restored at the cost of €65m.

It had been abolished by the previous government in 2009.

This year, the Christmas Bonus will be equivalent to 25% of the normal weekly social welfare payment, subject to a minimum payment of €20.

State Pension Contributory and Non-Contributory, as well as Widow/er's & Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension recipients, will be paid the bonus on Friday.

Disability Allowance recipients will be paid the bonus on Wednesday, while Invalidity pension recipients and Carer's Allowance recipients will be paid on Thursday.

In addition, more than 36,000 participants on Community Employment, Rural Social Scheme, TÚS, Job Initiative and Gateway will also receive the Christmas Bonus on Thursday.

Domiciliary Care Allowance recipients, who are paid monthly, will get their bonus on Tuesday 16 December.