Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
495. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider including qualified adult payment recipients in the Christmas bonus double payment and any such double payment in future budgets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24942/23]
View answerLast September, I announced the largest Social Protection budget in the history of the State, providing over €2.2 billion in supports to people across the State. This was in recognition of the pressures facing households due to the increasing cost of living. I was also pleased to announce two "double week" bonus payments - an Autumn bonus and a Christmas bonus. For the first time in 2023, the Christmas Bonus was extended to long-term recipients of Illness Benefit.
Recipients of these bonuses include pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and the long-term unemployed in recognition of their long-term financial dependence on their social welfare payment for all, or most, of their income.
All of these double week payments included payment of a double Qualified Adult increase where one was in payment on the eligible primary recipient's claim.
