Vol. 483 No. 1
195 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to increase the rate of old age contributory pension in the forthcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19754/97]
The question of the increases to be applied to social welfare payments is a matter for the Government to decide in the light of available resources and having regard to the commitments contained in the Government Programme, An Action Programme for the Millennium, and Partnership 2000. It would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment on the matter in advance of the forthcoming budget.
196 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to change the qualifying criteria for the Christmas bonus scheme in view of the fact that, if a person finishes a FÁS scheme in November 1997, they will not qualify for a Christmas bonus for Christmas 1997 or Christmas 1998. [19757/97]
Following on the introduction of Class A PRSI for community employment (CE) workers, which was provided for in the Social Welfare Act, 1996, CE workers who revert to the live register may qualify or re-qualify for unemployment benefit as a result of having paid at least 13 Class A PRSI contributions.
In such cases, the earnings in the relevant tax year will determine whether or not they receive a graduated rate or the full rate of unemployment benefit. Persons entitled to a reduced or graduated rate of unemployment benefit are entitled to claim unemployment assistance if it is more beneficial to them. However, long-term unemployment assistance is not payable where the claimant is entitled to full rate unemployment benefit. The social welfare secondary benefits, including the Christmas bonus, are payable only with long-term social welfare payments. Unemployment benefit claimants do not therefore have an entitlement to these benefits. While I recognise the difficulties faced by CE workers who re-qualify for unemployment benefit when their period of CE finishes, the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot introduce special concessionary arrangements for such people without having equal regard to the position of other short-term social welfare payment recipients. Any such concessions would, accordingly, carry an extremely high cost and could only be considered in the light of available resources and in the light of other priorities.
