Social welfare recipients will begin receiving the Christmas Bonus from today.
They are paid to 1.5 million people including pensioners, carers, lone parents and people with disabilities.
The total value of the payments are €370m.
Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary said: "People will receive their bonus payment on the same day that they usually receive their weekly pension or other primary payment."
He also encouraged people to shop locally before Christmas.
"By shopping locally, you are supporting your local economy, your local community and your local small businesses," Minister Calleary said.
Last week the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council criticised the Government for paying the Christmas Bonus every year without allocating money for it in the Budget.
