Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2020
376. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost to pay the annual Christmas bonus in 2020 to those in receipt of the family income support payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43252/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated cost of a Christmas Bonus in 2020 for Working Family Payment would be €6.75 million.
The Christmas Bonus is paid to social welfare recipients such as pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and the long-term unemployed in recognition of their long-term financial dependence on their social welfare payment for all or most of their income.
In recognition of the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on employment levels and the sudden financial impact on individuals, the Bonus was paid this year, on an exceptional basis, to those in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) for a period of four months or more and who were in payment on the date the Bonus is paid. It was also paid to people on jobseeker payments who have been in receipt of these payments for four months or more.
The Working Family Payment, formerly Family Income Support, is part of the Departments in-work support payments. The Working Family Payment can be paid concurrently with certain other social welfare payments (e.g. One-Parent Family Payment) which are paid a Christmas Bonus payment in their own right.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy
