John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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635. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) will not receive the Christmas bonus in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48356/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned had been in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance  from Jan 2005 until 27 Aug 2013 when she closed her claim and opted to become a qualified adult on her spouse/partner's Jobseeker's Allowance claim.

The Jobseeker's Allowance claim was closed as she was awarded Carer's Allowance in August 2013.

The person concerned had chosen the option of taking half-rate Carer's allowance , which also permitted her spouse/partner to claim an increase for a Qualified Adult on his Jobseeker's Allowance.

The half rate Carers Allowance remained in payment up to 30 Apr 2014.

Following the cessation of her Carer's Allowance claim she remained as qualified dependant on spouse/partners claim

The person concerned's spouses's Jobseeker's Allowance claim was closed when he commenced on a Tús scheme on 20 Mar 2018.

The person concerned subsequently lodged an application for Jobseeker's Allowance in her own right from 7 Jun 2018 which was processed and awarded.

This was a new application for Jobseeker's Allowance which was subject to qualifying period of 3 waiting days. This latest claim for Jobseeker's did not link back to the previous claim and time spent as qualified dependant on spouse/partner's claim cannot be used for linking purposes.

In order to qualify for the Christmas bonus Jobseeker's Allowance must be long-term only and in payment for 15 months / over 390 days of unemployment.

The most recent claim for Jobseeker's Allowance has only been in payment for 136 days. It is deemed to be short term.

I regret to inform the Deputy that the person concerned is ineligible to receive the Christmas bonus in 2018.