Written answers
Thursday, 10 December 2015
Department of Social Protection
Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility
Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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53. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if there is a mechanism available whereby a person who was on community employment and then signed on for credits for six months before receiving a jobseeker's allowance can receive the Christmas bonus; if there is an appeals mechanism or other options available to persons in such situations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44511/15]
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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On Budget Day, I was pleased to announce a 75% Christmas Bonus paid to over 1.2 million long-term social welfare recipients, such as pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, and long-term jobseekers.
The bonus is payable to jobseekers who have been in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) for a duration of 15 months (390 days) in recognition of their being wholly or mostly financially dependent on their social welfare payment for income. Time in receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB) is included in the calculations of duration.
Normally a participant on a CE scheme has previously been in receipt of JA. When the CE scheme ceases the person may be eligible to claim either JB or JA. If JA is claimed, eligibility for the Christmas Bonus is determined by the total duration of their JA claim immediately before the CE scheme and their current claim. However, this does not apply in the case where someone has been signing for credits only for a period after the cessation of the CE scheme.
If the Deputy wishes to supply further details of an individual case, this will be examined by my officials.
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