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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Dec 1993

Vol. 437 No. 3

Written Answers. - Christmas Bonus.

Bernard Allen

Question:

64 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will allow combined periods of unemployment in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland in order that recipients can qualify for the Christmas bonus.

The Christmas bonus is payable to recipients of long term social welfare payments, including recipients of long term unemployment assistance, that is those who previously had been in receipt of unemployment benefit or short term unemployment assistance for at least 15 months. There is no provision under national or EU legislation permitting periods of unemployment spent in another EU member state to be taken into account for the purpose of qualifying for the long term rate of unemployment assistance.

This year's Christmas bonus amounted to 70 per cent of normal weekly payments, subject to a minimum bonus payment of £20 for the first time. The bonus cost £33 million, an increase of £2 million on last year, and was paid in the first week of December at post offices and local offices of my Department.

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