Taoiseach Brian Cowen told the Dáil today the State could not afford the €223 million it would cost to reinstate the Christmas social welfare bonus payment this year.
The payment was removed as part of a package of changes introduced in the supplementary Budget in April and Mr Cowen said the Government would not change its mind on the issue.
He said the payment would have cost €223 million this year and €245 million in 2010.
The decision to abolish the bonus was made in the context of the April Budget he told the Dáil and the current economic climate was such that it was not possible to pay it.
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Roisin Shortall, Labour Party spokesperson on social and family affairs, described the decision as heartless.