Mary Flaherty
Question:142 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Welfare the ranges of payment of the Christmas bonus to social welfare recipients; when this bonus will be paid; and the level of this bonus. [14475/95]
Written Answers. - Christmas Bonus.
The Government last week approved the payment of a Christmas bonus to certain social welfare and health board recipients at a cost this year of almost £40 million. All participants on community employment will also benefit from the bonus this year.
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. Over 1.25 million people will benefit, that is about 755,000 recipients and their 500,000 dependants.
As in previous years, the bonus will be paid to people on long term payments including those receiving old age, retirement, widows', widower's, invalidity pensions, lone parent's allowance, unemployment payments at the long term rate, carer's allowance, disabled person's maintenance allowance as well as FÁS and CERT trainees.