Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:287. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding Christmas bonuses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53049/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 10 December 2013
Ceisteanna (287)
Freagraí scríofa
The last Government announced the abolition of the Christmas Bonus as one of the measures in the Supplementary Budget introduced in April 2009. It is now estimated that the payment of a December Bonus, equivalent to 100% of a person’s weekly social welfare rate, to recipients of long-term social welfare payments is of the order of €261 million.
Since I became Minister, I have prioritised the protection of core weekly welfare payments in recognition of their critical importance to recipients. In Budget 2014 I was able to protect the State Pension, Carer's Allowance, Disability Allowance and other core weekly payments, in addition to Child Benefit, while still reducing the overall welfare spend as part of the necessary effort to reduce the deficit.
Given the need to control Government expenditure generally, it will not be possible to re-introduce a bonus payment at this time.