‘Bringing back the Christmas bonus social welfare payment’

THE restoration of the Christmas bonus social welfare payment is one of the measures called for by Sinn Féin in its pre-Budget submission to be launched in Dublin tomorrow [Monday].

Social Protection spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD said Sinn Féin’s pre-Budget submission will set out revenue-raising proposals to fund all current social welfare rates and to reintroduce the Christmas bonus.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh said:

Unlike the other parties, Sinn Féin’s pre-Budget submission is designed to protect the most vulnerable in our society while stimulating the economy and reducing the budget deficit.

By ending wastages in public spending, eliminating tax loopholes and introducing new tax measures aimed at those who can afford to pay, Sinn Féin has identified the funding required to fund all current social welfare rates and to reintroduce the Christmas bonus payment.

The withdrawal of the Christmas bonus payment last year was a cruel measure which caused much heartache and stress. It forced many families into the hands of unscrupulous money-lenders and it will do so again this year unless the payment is restored.

Sinn Féin challenges the claim from the other political parties that there must be cutbacks in social welfare and that everybody must share in the pain.  The fact is that these parties are targeting low-income and middle-income earners rather than the wealth that is still in this state.

We mustn’t lose sight of the fact that social welfare is an important economic stimulus that helps to retain and create jobs, particularly at Christmas time.

The true measure of any society is in how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. In the current economic crisis, Sinn Féin seeks to protect the most vulnerable.