News
Know Your Rights: Eligibility for the Christmas Bonus
Q. I am in receipt of a weekly social welfare payment and I am wondering if I will get the Christmas Bonus?
A. In general the Christmas Bonus is an extra payment paid to people in receipt of an eligible long-term social welfare payment. In 2021, people getting the following payments will get a Christmas Bonus:
* Back to Work Enterprise Allowance * COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) * Blind Pension * Carer's Allowance and Benefit (including half-rate Carer's Allowance) * Community Employment * Deserted Wife's Allowance and Benefit * Daily Expenses Allowance, formerly called Direct Provision Allowance (long-term only - 12 months) * Disability Allowance * Disablement Pension and Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension under the Occupational * Injuries Scheme * Domiciliary Care Allowance * Farm Assist * Guardian's Payment (Contributory) and (Non-Contributory) * Invalidity Pension * Job Initiative * Jobseeker's Allowance (for at least 104 days) * Jobseeker's Transitional Payment * Magdalene Laundry Payment * One-Parent Family Payment * Partial Capacity Benefit * Rural Social Scheme * State Pension (Contributory) and (Non-Contributory) * Supplementary Welfare Allowance (long-term only - 12 months) * Tús * Widow, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension (Contributory) and (Non-Contributory)
Q. How much is the Christmas Bonus?
A. In 2021, the Christmas Bonus will be 100% of your normal weekly payment (including the Living Alone Increase, the Island Allowance and the Over-80 Increase). The Christmas Bonus does not include Fuel Allowance. The minimum Christmas Bonus payment is €20.
If an Increase for a Qualified Adult is paid directly to your dependent spouse, civil partner or cohabitant, the Christmas Bonus is also paid directly to them.
If you are getting two eligible social welfare payments (for example, a One-Parent Family Payment and the Domiciliary Care Allowance or a half-rate Carer’s Allowance as well as your primary payment) you get the Christmas Bonus for both payments.
During COVID-19, you can find comprehensive integrated information online at citizensinformation.ie/covid19/ and you can get daily updates on what’s changed on Twitter at @citizensinfo.
You can also get information and advice from:
Tralee on Tel: Call 0818 07 7860, Monday – Friday (10am-4pm)
The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0818 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm
Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information officer.
News
Strong connections made at tourism tradeshow
Many significant business deals were signed at this year’s Meitheal – Ireland’s largest and most important trade event for the tourism industry. Held in the INEC, 450 Irish businesses pitched to over 230 international […]
Many significant business deals were signed at this year’s Meitheal – Ireland’s largest and most important trade event for the tourism industry.
Held in the INEC, 450 Irish businesses pitched to over 230 international buyers from 17 countries at Fáilte Ireland’s flagship trade event.
Running since 1975, Meitheal is organised in partnership with Tourism Ireland to provide Irish tourism businesses with the opportunity to sell directly to top international buyers and tour operators.
The best of what is on offer across Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Ireland’s Ancient East, the Wild Atlantic Way and Dublin, were showcased with the aim of being scheduled on the itineraries of the global tour operators.
Key themes and trends emerging this year are sustainable travel options, immersive outdoor experiences and festivals.
Speaking about the importance of developing a future pipeline of tourism business, Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said that “creating a strong pipeline of future business is key for the recovery of tourism”.
“Seeing the demand for the Irish tourism product with international buyers at Meitheal is fantastic. Each international buyer represents tens of thousands of possible visitors to Ireland, and their business will be hugely important for tourism and hospitality businesses, communities, and destination Ireland as we continue to work towards recovery,” he said.
News
Outdoor dining area officially opens in town
A new outdoor dining space at Kenmare Place was officially opened today (Wednesday). The project, which was supported with €605,000 in funding from Fáilte Ireland under the Local Authority Weatherproofing and […]
A new outdoor dining space at Kenmare Place was officially opened today (Wednesday).
The project, which was supported with €605,000 in funding from Fáilte Ireland under the Local Authority Weatherproofing and Outdoor Dining Infrastructure Scheme, provides an attractive outdoor dining option for locals and visitors to Killarney.
“This is a really wonderful addition to Killarney’s tourism infrastructure and will prove a great asset throughout the year and particularly during the forthcoming tourist season,” said Cllr Kelleher, Cathaoirleach of the Killarney Municipal District, who did the honours.
“One of the effects of the recent pandemic was the need to utilise and maximise outdoor dining options and this infrastructure shows what can be achieved in an imaginative way. It will greatly enhance Killarney’s reputation as a destination for top quality tourism experiences.”
The project has been operational since last October but the official opening was timed to coincide with the Meitheal 2023 tourism industry showcase that was organised by Fáilte Ireland at the INEC this week.
“It is fantastic to see Killarney’s outdoor dining infrastructure being so well received by trade and visitors alike,” Miriam Kennedy, Head of Wild Atlantic Way at Fáilte Ireland, said.
Councillors in the Killarney Municipal District approved planning permission for the infrastructure which was completed by Daniel Canty Construction.
Strong connections made at tourism tradeshow
Many significant business deals were signed at this year’s Meitheal – Ireland’s largest and most important trade event for the tourism industry. Held...
Outdoor dining area officially opens in town
A new outdoor dining space at Kenmare Place was officially opened today (Wednesday). The project, which was supported with €605,000 in...
Calls to limit Carrauntoohil access during extreme weather
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Gold Cup evokes great memories for the people of Killarney
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Our women’s teams still need more support
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