I propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 428 together.
I recently announced a further range of measures to support individuals and families with the cost of living. This package includes a €200 lump sum payment, which will be paid to over 1.3 million recipients in receipt of long-term social welfare payments. This lump sum will be paid in April and will cost approximately €261 million.
This support will be paid on a similar basis to the Christmas Bonus, including to those on jobseeker's payments or Illness Benefit for over 12 months; with the addition of recipients of the Working Family Payment. One lump sum will be paid per person. If a person receives more than one qualifying social welfare payment, they will receive only one €200 lump sum payment.
The full list of schemes, which will be eligible for this lump sum is set out in the following table:
Qualifying Scheme
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Back to Education Allowance*
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Back to Work Enterprise Allowance
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Back to Work Family Dividend
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Benefit Payment for 65-year-olds, Jobseeker’s Benefit* Jobseeker’s Benefit for the Self-Employed*
|
Blind Pension
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Carer's Allowance and Carer's Benefit (including half-rate Carer's Allowance)
|
Community Employment
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Deserted Wife's Allowance and Benefit
|
Daily Expenses Allowance*
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Disability Allowance
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Disablement Benefit
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Domiciliary Care Allowance
|
Farm Assist
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Guardian's Payment (Contributory) and (Non-Contributory)
|
Illness Benefit*
|
Invalidity Pension
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Jobseeker's Allowance*
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Jobseeker's Transitional Payment
|
Magdalen Commission Scheme
|
One-Parent Family Payment
|
Partial Capacity Benefit
|
Rural Social Scheme
|
State Pension (Contributory) and (Non-Contributory)
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance*
|
Tús
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Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension (Contributory) and (Non-Contributory)/Occupational Injuries Death Benefit
|
Working Family Payment
|
* 12 months duration on eligible social welfare payment or scheme is required in order to be eligible for the lump sum payment. Time spent on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is included in jobseeker's qualifying period.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.