Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2021
626. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if the Christmas bonus payment announced in budget 2022 will be provided to persons who are in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, at that time; if she will outline which social protection scheme recipients will be eligible to receive the Christmas bonus this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51036/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast week, I was pleased to announce that a 100% Christmas Bonus will once again be paid this year to recipients of long-term social welfare payments.
The Bonus will be paid in early December to over 1.4 million people, including pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and the long-term unemployed, in recognition of their long-term dependence on their social welfare payment for all or most of their income.
In normal circumstances, only jobseekers on Jobseeker’s Allowance receive the Christmas Bonus after a total period of 15 months on the scheme.
However, this year, I am reducing that period to 12 months. Any jobseeker in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Benefit or the Pandemic Unemployment Payment for 12 months or more will receive the Bonus. For jobseekers, periods spent on PUP will count towards satisfying the 12 month duration requirement.
People in receipt of the following payments will receive the Bonus:
- State Pensions (including Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds) and Widow’s/Widower’s/Surviving Civil Partner’s Pensions;
- Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit, and the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (for people who have been in receipt of these payments for 12 months or more);
- Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension, Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Partial Capacity Benefit, Disablement Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Guardian’s payments;
- One-Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker’s Transition Payment, Deserted Wife’s Benefit and Allowance, Back to Work Family Dividend and Farm Assist;
- Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, Back to Education Allowance (over 12 months), Community Employment, Rural Social Scheme, TÚS, Gateway and Job Initiative;
- Supplementary Welfare Allowance (over 12 months), Daily Expenses Allowance (over 12 months), and the Magdalene Commission Scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
