Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2014

Wednesday, 10 December 2014

Questions (59)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

59. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that long term sick claimants of illness benefit supports are not permitted to avail of the Christmas bonus announced recently for unemployed recipients; her plans to widen the Christmas bonus qualifying criteria for persons claiming illness benefit for up to eight years and more; if she will widen the fuel allowance scheme to allow these claimants to avail of equal treatment than those availing of unemployment supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47458/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The Christmas bonus was paid last week to over 1.2 million long-term social welfare recipients at a cost of €65 million. The Bonus was introduced in 1980 and paid annually (at varying rates) until it was abolished in 2009.

I was pleased to be in the position to partially restore the bonus this year. A 25% bonus (subject to a minimum payment of €20) was paid to the beneficiaries of all schemes to which the bonus previously applied. It should be noted that illness benefit was never eligible for the bonus in the past and this condition continues to apply this year.

Persons who are permanently incapable of work may be eligible for the non-means tested Invalidity Pension (subject to satisfying the relevant medical criteria). Persons who are substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from a medical condition may be eligible for the means tested Disability Allowance (subject to the relevant medical criteria). All recipients of both of these payments are eligible for the Christmas Bonus, as well as additional benefits including free travel and the household benefits package.

Furthermore, they may also be eligible for the fuel allowance (subject to satisfying the household composition conditions and the means test).

Question No. 60 withdrawn.