Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Will the Christmas bonus be the first provision returned or will the money be spent on other requirements? Clarity in the House would be good. From where does the Minister for Social and Family Affairs see a windfall coming?

Once this decision has been made and she has taken the heat, is she really saying that she will re-examine the matter? She has said that she will, but the amendment is not couched in such definite language. She has also pledged to reintroduce it if she beats her savings targets, which come from her investigations into fraudulent social welfare claims. Bearing in mind that she failed last year to meet her targets, I do not see how she will find more than €156 million extra this year. Even if she does, nobody believes that the bonus will be paid.

Speaking on the salvation of the Christmas bonus last October, the Minister stated: "Even with the challenging budgetary situation, the payment of this additional money to social welfare customers is a clear sign that helping those most in need of support remains the key priority for the Government." Clearly, axing the bonus shows that helping those who are most in need of support is no longer a key priority.

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