Those in receipt of social welfare may receive additional bonus payments before the end of the year.
The government is preparing to make two bonus payments as part of a cost-of-living budget package.
The Christmas bonus for social welfare payments will be as normal however additional bonus payments will be given immediately after The October Budget.
The bonus payments are expected to cost €300m a piece.
The government have stressed cost-of-living will be taken into account in the budget with rent, energy bills and more elements at the top of their agenda's.
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Minister Heather Humphreys said: "So this year I am looking at maybe reducing that age to those over 66 when you retire."
Anyone over 70 currently can receive a €33-a-week fuel allowance, if they don't have an income more than €512 a week for a single person or €1,024 for a couple.
Minister Humphreys said she has "discussed" a €60 one-off payment which was suggested by Minister Roderic O’Gorman, to help parents with increased bills with a newborn.
“I have discussed it with my officials and I actually think it’s a good idea,” Ms Humphreys said.
“But again, these things all have to be considered in the context of the budget,” she said.
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