Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2022
393. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if recipients of the working family payment will receive the Christmas bonus payment to social welfare recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61723/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the ongoing cost of living pressures, I announced on Budget Day that my Department will spend approximately €1.2 billion on social welfare measures before January to help individuals and families through this difficult period.
The Christmas Bonus is paid to pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and long-term unemployed people in recognition of their long-term financial dependence on their social welfare payment for all, or most, of their income. Those in receipt of the Working Family Payment will not be eligible for the Bonus on the basis of their WFP entitlement. However, some people on Working Family Payment will receive the Christmas Bonus as they are also in receipt of another payment. For example, over 5,000 people in receipt of Working Family Payment are also in receipt of One Parent Family Payment, which is a qualifying scheme for the Christmas Bonus.
Furthermore, in order to help families with children, a double payment of Child Benefit was paid last month. Child Benefit is an extremely important support that reaches hundreds of thousands of hardworking families.
In mid-November, the Department paid a range of cost of living supports, which included a €500 lump sum payment to 44,000 families receiving the Working Family Payment.
In addition, from January, the income thresholds for the Working Family Payment will increase by €40 for all family sizes. This will mean that current recipients will see an increase of up to €24 per week, and more families will qualify for the payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
