Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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50. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if persons who were previously on a jobseeker's allowance and who were moved onto a supplementary welfare payment due to illness, but who are not entitled to illness benefit due to a lack of stamps, are entitled to the Christmas bonus in 2015, given that they are unable to seek work and are financially vulnerable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43121/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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On Budget Day, I was pleased to announce a 75% Christmas Bonus, which is being paid this week to over 1.2 million long-term social welfare beneficiaries, such as pensioners, people with disabilities, and carers.

Long-term recipients of Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) or Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) are eligible for the bonus if they have been in receipt of their payment for 15 months, in recognition of their being wholly or mostly dependent on their social welfare payment for income.

In the situation outlined by the Deputy, if a person has been in receipt of SWA for 15 months, then he or she will be eligible to receive the Christmas Bonus. Time spent on another qualifying scheme immediately prior to the award of a SWA claim may also be used to establish eligibility, which includes time spent on Jobseeker's Allowance. Individuals in this situation should attend or contact their local office to establish their eligibility for the Bonus.