Vol. 458 No. 2
44 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Social Welfare the arrangements, if any, he has made for the payment of the traditional Christmas bonus to social welfare recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16749/95]
147 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare the progress made on the payment of a Christmas bonus to social welfare recipients; the categories of recipients likely to be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16894/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 147 together. The Government approved last month the payment of a Christmas bonus to certain social welfare and health board recipients at a cost this year of almost £40 million. The bonus will amount to 70 per cent of normal weekly payments and there will be a minimum payment of £20. It will be paid during the first week in December 1995. Over 1.25 million people will benefit i.e. about 755,000 recipients and their 500,000 dependants.
The bonus will be paid to people on long-term payments including those receiving old age, retirement, widows, widowers and invadility pensions, lone parent's allowance, unemployment assistance at the long-term rate, carer's allowance, disabled person's maintenance allowance as well as FÁS and CERT trainees. All participants on community employment will also receive the bonus this year.
