Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
486. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that people who will be completing 12 months on illness benefit in the period between the payment of the Christmas bonus and Christmas Day are not included in the payment; and if a person (details supplied) who commenced illness benefit on the 12 December 2022 will be paid the Christmas bonus [54894/23]
View answerIllness Benefit is a payment for those who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay-related social insurance contribution conditions. Illness Benefit is paid for a maximum of two years and is classified as a short-term scheme.
A Christmas Bonus will be paid to long-term Illness benefit customers in the week commencing 4th December. For the purposes of this bonus, long term is classified as those who have accumulated 306 paid days by Sunday 26th November 2023. Customers who accumulate 306 paid days after this date, between the payment of the Christmas bonus and Christmas Day are not included in this bonus.
The person concerned had 291 paid days by Sunday 26th November and as such does not qualify for the Christmas Bonus.
I hope this clarifies the position for the deputy.
