There may just be good pre-election news for Pensioners and people in receipt of Social Welfare payments, announced today.
Our Tánaiste and current Minister for Social Protection, Ms Joan Burton, has publicly stated that single people will get a Christmas bonus of €115 this year, while couples will get €220. Same constitutes a rise of some 50% on last year’s Christmas bonus payments which had been scrapped during the Ireland’s recent economic downturn.
Ms Burton also confirmed publicly that next month’s budget statement will see increases to investments into health, education and childcare.
If true, in real money terms this announced 50% bonus would mean an extra €115 this December for a person in receipt of an Irish Contributory Pension, and close to some €220 extra for a couple in similar circumstances. This bonus would also mean an extra €102 for a Carer and would be further increased if that carer has children.
However remember this is a pre-election announcement from the Labour Party who may not be in power after October’s promised budget and who in past pre-election assurances have shown their guarantees to be just about as useful as ‘an ashtray on a motorcycle’.
When it comes to Labour Party promises, perhaps it is best wait and save any promised bonus for the January 2016 sales.
Hopefully Guy will come to life again and blow the lot up