Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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76. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will not be entitled to the social protection Christmas bonus for 2015; the disqualification criteria in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43221/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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All clients in receipt of a long term social welfare payment are entitled to a Christmas bonus payment of 75% of the appropriate weekly payment amount.

The person concerned was employed on a Community Employment (CE) scheme from January 2010 to January 2015. Following cessation of their employment on the CE scheme, the client claimed, and was paid illness benefit from 19 January 2015 until 20 June 2015, at which time they were certified as being fit for work. The client subsequently made a claim for jobseekers benefit from 22 June 2015 and qualified for same on the basis of earnings and contributions paid while on the CE scheme. Jobseekers benefit remains in payment to the client currently at the rate of €188 per week.

As both illness benefit and jobseekers benefit are classified as short term payment schemes, the client is not entitled to the Christmas bonus.