Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left)
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32. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if homeless persons receiving supplementary payments for a 15 month period were paid the Christmas bonus in 2015, given that as supplementary payment is the only payment the State pays to homeless persons and the logical outcome is that they should have received it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1197/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Government approved the payment of a Christmas Bonus on an administrative basis to long-term recipients of basic supplementary welfare allowance (Basic SWA) in 2015.

Customers who had been in receipt of Basic SWA continuously for more than 15 months received a Christmas Bonus of 75% of their normal weekly payment during the first week in December 2015, subject to a minimum payment of €20. This included homeless persons who were long-term recipients of Basic SWA. Customers that had spent time on another qualifying scheme immediately prior to the award of a Basic SWA payment and thereby met the 15 months eligibility criteria were also eligible for the bonus.

Any person in these groups who has not received a Christmas Bonus should contact their local Department office responsible for administering their Basic SWA.