Ó Snodaigh calls for return of Christmas bonus social welfare payment
Sinn Féin Social Protection Spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has called for the re-introduction of the Christmas bonus social welfare payment.
Speaking at a meeting of party activists and elected reps in Dublin today
Deputy Ó Snodaigh said his party’s pre-budget submission, to be launched on
Monday, will set out revenue raising proposals to fund all current social
welfare rates and to re-introduce 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 re-introduce 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 re-introduced.
“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 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.