Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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62. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an entitlement to the Christmas bonus for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44397/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I wish to advise you that there were no changes to illness benefit in the recent budget announcement. Illness benefit is classed as a short term payment so the award of a Christmas bonus does not apply.

The Department of Social Protection legislation provides that illness benefit can be paid for a maximum of 104 weeks (624 pay days) in respect of claims made from January 2009 onwards. As the person concerned was in receipt of illness benefit prior to 2009 they held their entitlement to illness benefit.