Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 December 2015
66. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on extending the Christmas bonus to recipients of illness benefit who have been on this payment on a long-term basis, having qualified under the pre-2009 rules; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46050/15]
View answer103. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why persons who are on short term jobseeker's allowance who were recently on JobBridge are not eligible for the Christmas bonus whereas persons who are on JobBridge and are coming off a jobseeker's payment are eligible for the Christmas bonus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46362/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 103 together.
The Christmas Bonus was abolished by the previous Government in 2009. Last year, I partially re-introduced a 25% bonus, and this year, I was pleased to announce a 75% bonus for over 1.2 million long-term social welfare recipients, such as pensioners, people with disabilities, carers and long-term jobseekers. Illness Benefit was never eligible for the bonus in the past and similar arrangements apply this year.
While the short-term Illness Benefit scheme is not eligible for the bonus, recipients of long-term disability payments are eligible. In this regard, 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.
The introduction of new employment and internship schemes such as JobBridge, Tús and Gateway has given rise to a number of complex issues in relation to the 15 months requirement for Jobseeker's Allowance recipients to qualify for the bonus. Any jobseeker who was previously on JobBridge and who has not received the bonus should contact the local office who will examine their entitlement.
