Vol. 457 No. 7
274 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Social Welfare the various categories of social welfare recipients normally entitled to Christmas bonuses; the reason those in receipt of disability benefit do not qualify; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16208/95]
Short-term payments such as disability benefit do not qualify for the Christmas bonus. The bonus will again be paid this year to people on long-term social welfare and health board payments including those receiving old age, retirement, widows, widowers, the long-term sick on invalidity 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. In addition, the 40,000 participants on community employment schemes will receive the bonus payment this year. Over 1.25 million people, including 34,500 people with disabilities who are on disabled person's maintenance allowance, will benefit this year at a cost of almost £40 million.
