Reinstatement of Christmas bonus ruled out

THE Department of Social Protection and Skills said there is no provision in its 2013 or 2014 Estimates for the payment of a Christmas bonus.

The Department was responding to a call from Paul Mulville, an Independent candidate in the Swords ward for next year’s local elections, to reinstate the bonus which was last paid out in December 2008.

The bonus used to be a once off end-of-year payment for elderly people, carers and long-term social welfare recipients. It was equal to 100 per cent of the person’s social welfare payment.

“Fianna Fáil disgracefully abolished this payment, and Fine Gael/Labour has failed to put it back in place,

? Mr Mulville told Northside People.

“Reinstating the Christmas bonus would mean a little bit more money toward Christmas presents for children, or a few euro towards a day out to the cinema or to the Panto.

“Furthermore, given that older people and those on low incomes are struggling to heat their homes, the Christmas bonus might help towards an oil tank refill, a stock of coal or briquettes, or it might cover some of the larger gas bills that can arrive at this time of year.

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Mr Mulville said that for the economy generally, it would mean more money being spent in shops locally this winter, and it would be a welcome stimulus.

“I am calling on the Government to reinstate the bonus payment decision prior to Christmas,

? he added.

“It would go some small way towards giving people a lift after the austerity this Government has inflicted on the country.

?

Dublin West TD Patrick Nulty also called for the bonus to be reinstated.

Deputy Nulty said it would allow pensioners to buy a present for grandchildren or ensure families can heat their homes adequately over Christmas.

“The Government have been making reference to the departure of the troika on December 15 so why don’t they demonstrate a change of direction and restore the Christmas bonus which Fianna Fail abolished in 2008,

? he stated.

“Now is the time to restore it.

?

A spokeswoman for the Department of Social Protection told Northside People:

“The estimated cost of paying a December bonus, equivalent to 100 per cent of a person’s weekly social welfare payment, is e261 million.

“There is no provision in the Department’s Estimates for 2013 or 2014 for the payment of such a bonus.

?

The spokeswoman added:

“Reintroduction of the bonus in the future would have to be considered in a budgetary context.

?