NORTHSIDE pensioners have called on the Government to reinstate the Christmas bonus.
The Fianna Fail/Green Government in its Supplementary Budget delivered in April 2009, abolished the bonus, which was a double payment of a person’s weekly social welfare rate, and an elderly person’s pension, in the lead up to Christmas.
Dick O’Leary, from Ferrycarrig, Coolock, said the bonus was something pensioners looked forward to at this time of year.
“We were able to get all the things we wanted and we badly miss it,
? Mr O’Leary told Northside People.
“It was very disappointing when they took it away and it has made life very difficult. You can’t get the grandchildren the kind of presents you would like to get them.
“It would mean an awful lot to me and my family if they reinstated it.
“I’m a very community-minded person, and on Christmas Eve every year I would always go into town and make a charitable gesture.
“I would always buy cigarettes or a cake for someone who’s down on their luck, but I just can’t do it anymore. You have to cut your cloth now.
?
Mr O’Leary said it was still not too late for the Government to reinstate the bonus.
“If an announcement was made that we would even get it in our payment after Christmas, we could make provisions and spend the amount before Christmas, knowing that it was coming,
? he stated.
“I’m making an impassioned plea to the Government: give people something to look forward to as we head into a new year.
“As a new year’s resolution, the Government should sit up and take note of the promises they made when they came into power, and have a hard look at the people who are suffering.
?
Austin McCoy, chairperson of Lorcan Estate Residents’ Association, Santry, echoed Mr O’Leary’s sentiments.
“It’s appalling that it was taken in the first place,
” Mr McCoy told Northside People.
“The senior citizens would mainly use it to pay their fuel bill or buy presents for their family and relatives.
“It was a bonus that was very much appreciated by everyone and was used wisely. In some cases it was essential.
?
Mr McCoy said that since the bonus was taken away, it has put that extra bit of hardship on people, especially at this time of year.
“If it was reinstated it would be very much appreciated,
? he added.
Vincent Quinn (77), from Cromcastle Court, Coolock, said the senior citizens always depended on the bonus.
“It was the most important thing for us to get at Christmas,
? Mr Quinn stated.
“I just can’t afford to buy presents and it’s very frustrating. It’s probably the same for every other senior citizen in the country.
“My wife Elizabeth sadly passed away in July, and she always used the bonus to buy presents for nieces and nephews.
“If I had the bonus back, I would be able to carry on her tradition. It would mean a lot to me. I’m calling for the bonus to be reinstated immediately.
?
Last week Dublin Bay North TD Tommy Broughan joined with Independent TDs and a number of civil society organisations in calling on the Government to reintroduce the Christmas bonus for long-term recipients of social welfare payments.
“In the run up to Christmas, families are really struggling, especially those with young children,
? said Deputy Broughan.
“The restoration of the Christmas bonus would be some small form of support for these families.
?
Deputy Broughan highlighted the issue with Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore, in the Dáil. He said the Tánaiste had spoken about giving a social dividend back to the people of Ireland when the Promissory Notes deal was agreed in February.
“The Government should now be passing on some of this social dividend to citizens on the lowest incomes and the restoration of the Christmas bonus would be a hugely welcome support to these individuals and families,
? said Deputy Broughan.
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
?¬261 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.
?
power, and have a hard look at the people who are suffering.
?
Austin McCoy, chairperson of Lorcan Estate Residents’ Association, Santry, echoed Mr O’Leary’s sentiments.
“It’s appalling that it was taken in the first place,
” Mr McCoy told Northside People.
“The senior citizens would mainly use it to pay their fuel bill or buy presents for their family and relatives.
“It was a bonus that was very much appreciated by everyone and was used wisely. In some cases it was essential.
?
Mr McCoy said that since the bonus was taken away, it has put that extra bit of hardship on people, especially at this time of year.
“If it was reinstated it would be very much appreciated,
? he added.
Vincent Quinn (77), from Cromcastle Court, Coolock, said the senior citizens always depended on the bonus.
“It was the most important thing for us to get at Christmas,
? Mr Quinn stated.
“I just can’t afford to buy presents and it’s very frustrating. It’s probably the same for every other senior citizen in the country.
“My wife Elizabeth sadly passed away in July, and she always used the bonus to buy presents for nieces and nephews.
“If I had the bonus back, I would be able to carry on her tradition. It would mean a lot to me. I’m calling for the bonus to be reinstated immediately.
?
Last week Dublin Bay North TD Tommy Broughan joined with Independent TDs and a number of civil society organisations in calling on the Government to reintroduce the Christmas bonus for long-term recipients of social welfare payments.
“In the run up to Christmas, families are really struggling, especially those with young children,
? said Deputy Broughan.
“The restoration of the Christmas bonus would be some small form of support for these families.
?
Deputy Broughan highlighted the issue with Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore, in the Dáil. He said the Tánaiste had spoken about giving a social dividend back to the people of Ireland when the Promissory Notes deal was agreed in February.
“The Government should now be passing on some of this social dividend to citizens on the lowest incomes and the restoration of the Christmas bonus would be a hugely welcome support to these individuals and families,
? said Deputy Broughan.
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
?¬261 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.
?