- Pensioner couple both in receipt of the non-contributory State Pension will receive a bonus payment of €328.50.
- Single person on Disability Allowance will receive a bonus payment of €141.
- A person in receipt of a Carer’s Allowance with two dependent children will get a bonus of €197.70.
- A long-term jobseeker with a dependent partner and two dependent children will receive a bonus of €279.30.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton T.D., and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin T.D., today (Monday, 23rd November 2015) announced details of the Christmas Bonus that will directly benefit 1.2 million social welfare customers and their dependants. The bonus will be paid during the first week of December.
As announced in the Budget, pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and people who are long-term unemployed will receive a Bonus of 75% this year. Abolished in 2009 by the previous Government, the Christmas Bonus was partially restored by the Tánaiste last year and is being increased this year.
Today, the Tánaiste and Minister Howlin signed the Regulations which provide for the 75% Christmas Bonus to be paid.
On signing the Regulations, the Tánaiste said: “As Tánaiste and Labour Party leader, my focus is on trying to ensure we can improve things for every person, not just a few – and the Bonus will play an important role in that.
“The people of this country deserve immense credit for ensuring that social solidarity remained intact throughout the crisis, when it fractured in other countries. That solidarity is based on a simple concept – that age-old Irish tradition of looking out for someone less fortunate than yourself.
“The bonus is not just a welcome assistance to retired people at a financially stressful time of year. It also helps a range of other vulnerable people – including lone parents, long-term jobseekers, carers and people with disabilities. And important, the bonus is spent within the local economy. So it provides a boost not only for the individuals and families who receive it, but also for local businesses and the community.”
Minister Howlin said: "We are committed to ensuring that the benefits of recovery are shared across society and so I am delighted that our continued economic progress has enabled us to pay a 75% Christmas Bonus to social welfare recipients this year."
Weekly social welfare payments with which the Christmas Bonus will be paid include State Pension (Contributory, Non-Contributory), Widow's and Widower's (Contributory and Non Contributory Pension), Guardian's Payment (Contributory and Non-Contributory), Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension, Deserted Wife's Benefit, Carer's Allowance and Benefit, Disability Allowance, Farm Assist long-term Jobseeker's Allowance and long-term Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
The Christmas Bonus is also being paid to certain participants of Community Employment, Back to Education, Rural Social Scheme, Gateway, Tus and the Back to Work Family Dividend.
Note for Editors
Appendix 1 – List of schemes for which the Christmas Bonus will be paid and number of recipients
Appendix 2 – Examples of Christmas Bonus payment
Appendix 1
Schemes for which the Christmas Bonus will be paid Number of recipients to
receive Christmas Bonus
Pensions
State Pension (Contributory) 377,029
Widow(er)s' Pension (Contributory) 119,393
State Pension (Non-Contributory) 94,636
Widow(er)s’ Pension (Non-Contributory) 1,690
Illness, Disability and Carers
Disability Allowance 117,221
Carer's Allowance 62,095
Invalidity Pension 54,737
Domiciliary Care Allowance 28,338
OI Disablement 5,976
Carer's Benefit 2,122
Partial Capacity Benefit 1,576
Blind Pension 1,334
OI Death Benefit 638
Working Age Income Supports
Jobseeker's Allowance* 217,643
One Parent Family Payment 42,041
Farm Assist 9,057
Deserted Wife's Benefit 6,885
Supplementary Welfare Allowance* 3,291
Pre-Retirement Allowance 1,098
Direct Provision Allowance* 1,290
Deserted Wife’s Allowance 204
Working Age Employment Supports
Community Employment 24,350
Back to Education Allowance* 14,942
Back to Work Allowance 11,716
Back to Work Family Dividend 10,858
Tús 8,300
JobBridge* 2,695
Rural Social Scheme 2,678
OVERALL TOTAL 1,229,074
* In order to be eligible for the bonus, the person must be in receipt of this payment for 15 months. In the case of BTEA and JobBridge, the person must have 15 months duration prior to the scheme, or would have reached 15 months had he or she not commenced the scheme.
Appendix 2
Christmas Bonus
Payment by Family Type – Examples of Christmas Bonus Payment Rate of Payment 75%
Pensioners
State Pension (Con) Personal Rate - Single €230.30 €172.70
SPC Couple - Personal Rate with a Qualified Adult aged 66 or over €436.60 €327.50
SPC Couple - Personal Rate with a Qualified Adult aged under 66 €383.80 €287.90
State Pension (Non-Con) Personal Rate - Single €219.00 €164.30
State Pension (Non-Con) Personal Rate - Couple (Both entitled in their own right to the SPNC) €438.00 €328.50
SPNC Couple - Personal Rate with a Qualified Adult aged under 66 €363.70 €272.80
Pensioner Couple - One in receipt of SPC and the other in receipt of SPNC €449.30 €337.00
WSCPCP Personal Rate - aged under 66 €193.50 €145.10
WSCPCP Personal Rate (under 66) with 1 child €223.30 €167.50
WSCPCP Personal Rate (under 66) with 2 children €253.10 €189.80
WSCPCP Personal Rate (under 66) with 4 children €342.50 €256.90
Jobseekers
Jobseeker's Allowance Personal Rate - Single €188.00 €141.00
Jobseeker's Allowance Couple - Personal Rate and Qualified Adult Rate €312.80 €234.60
Jobseeker's Allowance Couple - Personal Rate and Qualified Adult Rate with 1 child €342.60 €257.00
Jobseeker's Allowance Couple - Personal Rate and Qualified Adult Rate with 2 children €372.40 €279.30
Jobseeker's Allowance Couple - Personal Rate and Qualified Adult Rate with 4 children €432.00 €324.00
One Parent Family Payment
One Parent Family Payment Personal Rate with 1 child €217.80 €163.40
One Parent Family Payment Personal Rate with 2 children €247.60 €185.70
One Parent Family Payment Personal Rate with 4 children €307.20 €230.40
Carers
Carer's Allowance Personal Rate - Aged Under 66 €204.00 €153.00
Carer's Allowance Personal Rate - Aged Under 66 with 1 child €233.80 €175.40
Carer's Allowance Personal Rate - Aged Under 66 with 2 children €263.60 €197.70
Carer's Allowance Personal Rate - Aged Under 66 with 4 children €323.20 €242.40