No bonus for Christmas

Kradock

The fatman is not for turning. I am in full time emplyment and still struggle with Christmas , what hope have people who genuinely depend on this bonus to help with Santa.

Fcuking country makes me sick. Take back a few quid from the banks and pay the bonus .

Edit : I am talking about the social welfare bonus.

Gone Drinking

Didn't get one last year, doubt we'll get one this year. Times are tough, i'm just glad to have a job.

There are people in worse situations than us, when its comes to work, money and santa this year.

tallaght01

Kradock wrote: »

The fatman is not for turning. I am in full time emplyment and still struggle with Christmas , what hope have people who genuinely depend on this bonus to help with Santa.

Fcuking country makes me sick. Take back a few quid from the banks and pay the bonus .

I feel for you. I'm coming home for a long visit over christmas, and I have to say I'm dreading the fact that I'll have to watch people struggling this christmas, when the last few years have been good to most.

It's pretty sad, and it takes the shine of chrimbo. though I'm lucky that my family are mostly at the stage where they don't have to worry too much about youngsters and their demands. But for anyone with a young family, it could be a tough time.

EDIT: didn't see your edit. Why are you getting social welfare when you're working full time? I still think it's cruel to keep money from the poorest in society. There's gotta be other ways to raise money.

Boskowski

Social welfare is ridiculously cushy to begin with. To actually pay a Christmas bonus is beyond the beyonds and just laughable. Good riddance to it.

antodeco

People need to stop living beyond theirr means and expecting the need to buy high valued presents for people. People need to take a hit on their pride and get over themselves at the expectancy.

Ive changed my spending habits completely. Its funny now that I am more aware of deals, I am buying myself alot more things and treating myself alot more, on still the same amount of money.

You can pick up great deals online. Gone are the days of forking out several hundred euros over Christmas. I think Ill stick to €20 a head and leave it at that.

<AH RESPONSE>Im giving out my sperm this year. Ive convinced the missus its good for sore throats, dry skin, face mask and constipation. A wonder tonic/cream if you will. </AH RESPONSE>

Jay P

realcam wrote: »

Social welfare is ridiculously cushy to begin with. To actually pay a Christmas bonus is beyond the beyonds and just laughable. Good riddance to it.

That's harsh, but I totally agree.

super_furry

I've been working the same job for six years. Never had a bonus and I honestly don't believe that the state should be paying for people's Christmas.

engrish?

Kradock wrote: »

Fcuking country makes me sick. Take back a few quid from the banks and pay the bonus .

Go piss in a cup and drink it. I'm sick of that saying. Other people are in bad situations without bonus's. Look around you and take the knock with the others.

Or go on Pat Kenny and shout at him, whatever you like.


*pontification*

Aodan83

realcam wrote: »

Social welfare is ridiculously cushy to begin with.

Heard recently of a Polish woman who awas gettin an allowance of ten euro a week to feed her cats. The woman is getting an allowance for her fúcking cats like!! I seriously hope it was a load of bollox, but still, its believable from this country.

seamus

Aside from €80 of shopping vouchers I received while working in a place as a teenager, I've never received a christmas bonus from an employer.

Those who "relied" on this bonus have had plenty of time to prepare and save their money for Christmas. So I'm not remotely sorry for them. Christmas is not about buying the biggest present, drinking your bodyweight in beer or eating enough food to feed a herd of elephants. It's about chilling out with your family and enjoying yourself. All of which can be done without spending a fortune.

ScumLord

Christmas is all about Christmas day with the big dinner, family and friends, I don't really have to much pity for people who cry about not being able to take part in the great consumer swindle they've been hoodwinked into believing money and gifts are the meaning of Christmas. The sooner this decadent society collapses the better.

AnonoBoy

realcam wrote: »

Social welfare is ridiculously cushy to begin with.

Try raising a family when all you have for income is social welfare and then come back to me and say that.

shoegirl

Aside from one little job I had part time in the late 90s, no employer of mine has ever paid a "Christmas bonus." In fact, with one exception, none had any kind of bonus scheme and the one I'm working for now expects overtime and oncall duties for free. It doesn't happen for most working people, so why should those living on handouts get an extra freebie? Annoying as it might seem, the nature of a "bonus" is an over and above ex gratia payment. The government are not being unreasonable in removing it. For over 10 years now I have had exactly the same pay in Dec as I have for the other 11 months of the year. You just get real about things and budget a few months ahead and don't spend what you don't have.

Lollipops23

I'm just intensely relieved that I joined my job's saving scheme in Feb, means I'll have 400quid coming to me at the start of Dec.Also have some other savings I can dip into if needs be, although I'd rather not.

My family had actually calmed the whole extravagence at Xmas thing in the last few years, 2 years ago I told my mam to stop spending so much on my gifts (I just though it was wasteful).

I also have a deal with one of my best mates where we just don't do Xmas gifts. We spend a fair bit on eachother's bday gifts, so don't feel the need to do it at Xmas.

Honestly, as long as we've a packet if mince pies and good telly, that's Xmas with my family sorted!!:D

Kradock

Kradock wrote: »

I am in full time emplyment.....I am talking about the social welfare bonus.

Hmmm...

Kradock wrote: »

Fcuking country makes me sick.

Indeed.

VERYinterested

I still half dread Christmas even though my kids are grown up. I don't know how we got through it before. I am also in full employment, the dread is just a thing ingrained from years of practice. I actually enjoy it now a lot more than I used to.

A few years back, we decided things needed to change. I'm from a large family, with lots of nieces and nephews. Present costs were getting way out of hand. It was decided that you only bought a present if you were a Godfather or Godmother for a niece or nephew. That sorted a lot of problems. Then we looked at what was being chucked out on Stephen's Day. The amount of wasted food was criminal. We cut back on all this nonsense and only buy what we know will be eaten. Kids need to have their expectations lowered also, no point in people getting in to debt unnecessarily.

I know I'll get savaged in AH for this common sense approach , but hopefully it will help some people through the dreaded time.

chopperbyrne

My Jobseekers Benefit was cut off this week. I was given three days notice.

I've applied for Jobseekers Allowance, but have no idea how long that will take to be processed.

I'll find out later if they expect me to survive on nothing a week.

Kradock

realcam wrote: »

Social welfare is ridiculously cushy to begin with. To actually pay a Christmas bonus is beyond the beyonds and just laughable. Good riddance to it.

Jay P wrote: »

That's harsh, but I totally agree.

I just think that if the Government can bail out failed businesses , then surely a few quid could be directed to the worse off in this country. It saddens me to think that we are all being pissed on from a high and nothing is being done.
I totally understand that we all have to comedown out of the clouds and cut our cloth to fit but why have the poorest of the country suffer to bail out the fat cats.

Saibh

Never got a Christmas bonus, maybe a bottle of wine an odd year.

We have a money club where you can put money in anytime you want and we get it the first week of December. That's my Christmas bonus to me!

Gurgle

Aodan83 wrote: »

Heard recently of a Polish woman who awas gettin an allowance of ten euro a week to feed her cats. The woman is getting an allowance for her fúcking cats like!! I seriously hope it was a load of bollox, but still, its believable from this country.

Of course its a load of bollox, theres only ever one question you need to ask:

How much of a political donation can an unemployed polish cat owner have made to the FF coffers?

Boskowski

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Try raising a family when all you have for income is social welfare and then come back to me and say that.

Guess what. I wouldn't dream of doing that.

I know life ain't always fair and people don't necessarily start families being on welfare, but if I had a family to feed I'd rather be out collection empty cans than depending on welfare alone.

mikom

Where's my bonus?

shoegirl

Aodan83 wrote: »

Heard recently of a Polish woman who awas gettin an allowance of ten euro a week to feed her cats. The woman is getting an allowance for her fúcking cats like!! I seriously hope it was a load of bollox, but still, its believable from this country.

Um if you really believe that . . . there is no such allowance, and anybody spreading this kind of mythology should have their balls cut off with a garden shears.

Social welfare is pretty tight for people who've been previously earning 500+ a week and have debt to service. But I live in an area where about 75% of the rented population are on welfare and I'm constantly stunned at how many of them have cars, spend most weekends beating up police in Rossport, have quite comfortable lifestyles. There are real questions to be asked there all right.

NothingMan

Social welfare give out xmas bonus's????? :eek:

I got a load of Dunnes vouchers when I worked there but I have got nada, zip, zilch, zero xmas bonus since and I work 9 - 5:30 mon -fri. I have nothing against people on welfare who genuinely need it, but people my age who live at home and don't pay rent or bills (which is a decent chunk of welfare claimers from what i've seen) have more expendable money than I do. And then the government give them a fcuking bonus at xmas! Arse biscuits.

I hope it has been cut, I'm earning a little less because of tax increases so i'll be down this year too! Quit your whining OP it's not just welfare people that could do with an extra few bob they aren't gonna get.

chopperbyrne

realcam wrote: »

Guess what. I wouldn't dream of doing that.

I know life ain't always fair and people don't necessarily start families being on welfare, but if I had a family to feed I'd rather be out collection empty cans than depending on welfare alone.

Holy ****, that is a terrible attitude.

Someone loses their job in a recession and has to rely on welfare and you tell them they shouldn't have started a family.

Go and ****e.

Mr. Presentable

Kradock wrote: »

The fatman is not for turning. I am in full time emplyment and still struggle with Christmas , what hope have people who genuinely depend on this bonus to help with Santa.

Fcuking country makes me sick. Take back a few quid from the banks and pay the bonus .

Edit : I am talking about the social welfare bonus.

A what, 2% cut? Those of us in jobs have taken many times that, and had tax increases to cope with welfare payments (among other things). Let them pay something, please!

Boskowski

chopperbyrne wrote: »

Holy ****, that is a terrible attitude.

Someone loses their job in a recession and has to rely on welfare and you tell them they shouldn't have started a family.

Go and ****e.

Stop gettin overexcited. Because I didn't say that. Read again.

MistyCheese

Surely Kraddock is talking about friends or people he knows who are on Social Welfare. He can't mean that he is working full time and also claiming benefits.

Even if that is what he means surely it's a payment he is entitled to. There just can't be anyone who would say "I work, I fradulently claim benefits and I still don't have enough money."

Surely?

Mossy Monk

I have never had a Christmas bonus while in full time employment.

Sioux99989

What they should have done was deduct €4 per week from the Social Welfare and use this to give the Christmas bonus. While €4 per week isnt too much, €208 bonus for Christmas is.

That would have been the best way to deal with it.

ZzubZzub

realcam wrote:

Guess what. I wouldn't dream of doing that.

I know life ain't always fair and people don't necessarily start families being on welfare, but if I had a family to feed I'd rather be out collection empty cans than depending on welfare alone.

And what about when you can't get a job collecting empty cans? Yes there are an awful lot of people on the dole that are taking the piss, but for some people it's their only option. My dad was working since he was 15 and recently made redundant.He applied for work everywhere, from cleaning to retail etc but unfortunately there are no jobs.

A friend of mine told me recently there were 150 applicants for 3 positions in Argos. Fun times!

kowloon

ScumLord wrote: »

Christmas is all about Christmas day with the big dinner, family and friends, I don't really have to much pity for people who cry about not being able to take part in the great consumer swindle they've been hoodwinked into believing money and gifts are the meaning of Christmas. The sooner this decadent society collapses the better.

The dinner really has become the thing I look forward to, talking to someone recently who has lost both her parents in the last while only makes me look forward to it more as both mine are still alive. I feel really lucky, and I honestly couldn't give a flying **** about the presents.

xzanti

I left a job just before last Christmas, well around September tbh.. to go elsewhere.. Man was I dumb.. they used to give a €250 bonus plus a sh1t load of drink and sweets that would be sent in from subcontractors and suppliers etc and was divied up between the staff, I'm talking bottles of Hennesy, Jameson, Baileys, the best of wine .. I had it so good.. The place I went to went bust about a month after I arrived (stupid bastards should never have taken me on but that's neiter here nor there).. So not only did I not have a job, never mind a bonus but my Social hadn't even come through yet for Christmas.. Was lucky I had savings there..

Have a job this year so I'm lucky (no bonus though) but it's a horrible situation to find yourself in

super_furry

Sioux99989 wrote: »

What they should have done was deduct €4 per week from the Social Welfare and use this to give the Christmas bonus. While €4 per week isnt too much, €208 bonus for Christmas is.

That would have been the best way to deal with it.

People have to take responsibility and do that themselves. It's not like there wasn't any notice - it's been made clear since the last budget that this would happen.

ibarelycare

Christmas bonus on social welfare? Ridiculous. Why award people for doing nothing? And I know that it's difficult times and a lot of people have lost their jobs and are desperately looking for employment, but still.

I work hard and won't be getting a Christmas bonus this year. Instead I started my shopping last week. Am buying a little bit every week and hopefully I won't panic buy the week before Christmas and have no money left to enjoy myself over the holidays.

trustno1

VERYinterested wrote: »

I still half dread Christmas even though my kids are grown up. I don't know how we got through it before. I am also in full employment, the dread is just a thing ingrained from years of practice. I actually enjoy it now a lot more than I used to.

A few years back, we decided things needed to change. I'm from a large family, with lots of nieces and nephews. Present costs were getting way out of hand. It was decided that you only bought a present if you were a Godfather or Godmother for a niece or nephew. That sorted a lot of problems. Then we looked at what was being chucked out on Stephen's Day. The amount of wasted food was criminal. We cut back on all this nonsense and only buy what we know will be eaten. Kids need to have their expectations lowered also, no point in people getting in to debt unnecessarily.

I know I'll get savaged in AH for this common sense approach , but hopefully it will help some people through the dreaded time.

I totally agree. I hate the way Christmas has in the past few years become so filled with greed - you see people going around Dunne's and Tesco's with 2 or 3 trolleys filled to the brim with food it would make you sick (you would swear the shops were never opening again!), it will be interesting to see if the same trolleys are being filled as high this year!. I have asked for anyone buying me a pressie this year to give the money to the likes of Barnardo's or Unicef who need it far more than I do.. I just enjoy the break and being able to sit and relax at Christmas.. bliss! oh.. and back to the topic at hand - I am one of the lucky one's who will be getting a bonus this year..

WindSock

Solution: Be a stingey old git like myself and buy nuffink for no one. Or just buy for immediate family and loved ones. Friends can feck off. Me and my pals have never bought presents for each other.

Do people really notice whether you buy them presents or not? The only time I notice is when I say ah crap, I have to buy them a present now.
Nice gesture, but I'd prefer to be without the hassle and enjoy their company instead. Feck it, even a card would do.

As far as the Social Welfare thing is involved. I think it would suck for a family that can't afford to put a turkey on their table for Christmas day.

A Christmassy feed is way more important than a few ****ty presents that no-one wants. imo.

star.chaser

They shouldn't have scrapped it. They should have made it performance related. Better PR

Jimmy Bottlehead

Cleeo wrote: »

And what about when you can't get a job collecting empty cans? Yes there are an awful lot of people on the dole that are taking the piss, but for some people it's their only option. My dad was working since he was 15 and recently made redundant.He applied for work everywhere, from cleaning to retail etc but unfortunately there are no jobs.

A friend of mine told me recently there were 150 applicants for 3 positions in Argos. Fun times!

Exactly. I was just like that when I was working - "Oh I'd never go on the dole, so embarrassing, so degrading, couldn't sit about doing nothing like all those wasters".

Well guess what?? I cannot get a job (no matter how many I apply for, no matter my experience and degree) and had to go on the dole. And quite frankly it is unpleasant, and its piss all money to work with, but it HAS to be done. Of course there are those who simply won't work, but presently, there are a lot on it who want to work but can't get a job.

And for the record, I honestly don't know how two decent parents who lost their jobs can afford to keep their kids fed. Baffles me. 205e a week doesn't go far when you've rent, esb, gas, and food to take out.

So lay off the high-seated, dickish attitudes.

antodeco

super_furry wrote: »

People have to take responsibility and do that themselves. It's not like there wasn't any notice - it's been made clear since the last budget that this would happen.

+1. Even if it hadnt been made clear, you can never rely on future payments. The problem is, alot of people out there need hand holding because they have no concept of where the next bit of money is coming from. I save whatever money I can, because I know I will eventually need it.

Gillington

I've been on the dole or a FAS course since I've come back to the country in the summer,I've tried looking for work in every field that I have experience or in or studied and loads that I havent and cant get anything just rejection.I have no kids and living at home so I have it easier financially then most people on the dole and think that people like me shouldnt even be considered for any type of bonus but there are people who I think should such as single parents.If they set up a system where single parents can apply a few month in advance and be means tested then I'd be all for it.There is going to be so much borrowing over this time of year that we will find ourselves take a step backwards financially after the Xmas period.

Anyways Xmas is a time for family and relaxing and if we can get through it on a smaller budget i think it will be more rewarding in a way.

Coriolanus

A couple who both have lost their jobs aren't just getting 205 dole times two. They'll also be eligible for a range of other benefits that takes the sting out of electricity, rent, gas, phone, tv, clothing etc.
No one in this country is getting by on 205 euro alone, because if things are that bad, you qualify for aid in other ways, albeit generally non-cash.

omerin

Let them eat (christmas) cake

Jimmy Bottlehead

Nevore wrote: »

A couple who both have lost their jobs aren't just getting 205 dole times two. They'll also be eligible for a range of other benefits that takes the sting out of electricity, rent, gas, phone, tv, clothing etc.
No one in this country is getting by on 205 euro alone, because if things are that bad, you qualify for aid in other ways, albeit generally non-cash.

I have Past year I have!! Thought that's partially cos I can scrape by on 205 (i do mean scrape) and hate asking for more benifits.

Mr Velo

I have sincere sympathy for those who have been made redundant due to the downturn etc and are relying on Social Welfare during these tough times.

How and ever, there are some long-term unemployed who just do my nut in. In one particular case, a young person i know (21) has NEVER been employed... yes that's right.... NEVER!! This person has done some courses etc but refuses to take just any job.... thinks he/she is better than some "ordinary" jobs.

Sits around from one end of the week to the other - in receipt of social welfare - living at home and happy out at it. There needs to be some motivation for the likes of this person to go out and get a job rather than sitting around all week.

Another relation of this person is self-employed.... damn all work on, probably earning less than the social welfare recipient at the mo... and can't claim any benefit.... Frustrating!!!

DonJose

Kradock wrote: »

The fatman is not for turning. I am in full time emplyment and still struggle with Christmas , what hope have people who genuinely depend on this bonus to help with Santa.

Fcuking country makes me sick. Take back a few quid from the banks and pay the bonus .

Edit : I am talking about the social welfare bonus.

If you are working, then why do you need a social welfare bonus???

PirateShampoo

realcam wrote: »

Social welfare is ridiculously cushy to begin with. To actually pay a Christmas bonus is beyond the beyonds and just laughable. Good riddance to it.

I wish i could give you the response that this idotic post deserves, but i would be banned.

kittenkiller

AnonoBoy wrote: »

Try raising a family when all you have for income is social welfare and then come back to me and say that.

No thanks.
I'd rather wait until I'm in a position to be able to actually provide for my family properly before I start popping out sprogs.

I can't afford kids at the moment.
I haven't started a family.

I can't afford a mortgage at the moment.
I haven't bought a house.

I can't afford a round the world trip on a fancy cruise ship at the moment.
I don't book a fancy holidays.

Logic and common sense would dictate that if you can't afford something, don't buy it/get it/push it out your gash in the first place.

No one would have suspected that the govt would reverse the decision to not provide the Christmas bonus, people had *month* to start saving to make up for it.

I bother my ar$e to get up every day to come in and earn a wage and I don't get a Christmas bonus either.
Who should I complain to?

Jimmy Bottlehead

kittenkiller wrote: »

No thanks.
I'd rather wait until I'm in a position to be able to actually provide for my family properly before I start popping out sprogs.

I can't afford kids at the moment.
I haven't started a family.

I can't afford a mortgage at the moment.
I haven't bought a house.

I can't afford a round the world trip on a fancy cruise ship at the moment.
I don't book a fancy holidays.

Logic and common sense would dictate that if you can't afford something, don't buy it/get it/push it out your gash in the first place.

No one would have suspected that the govt would reverse the decision to not provide the Christmas bonus, people had *month* to start saving to make up for it.

I bother my ar$e to get up every day to come in and earn a wage and I don't get a Christmas bonus either.
Who should I complain to?

So what happens three years after you (or your better half) "push something out your gash" and you lose your job??

RossFixxxed

My pay has been cut, I don't get a bonus anymore, my hours are much much longer, I'm in on Saturdays unpaid. I'm not gonna complain, be bloody thankful you are working and build a big huge bridge.

Maybe post it to me 3 years ago when anyone gave a ****.

Coriolanus

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

I have Past year I have!! Thought that's partially cos I can scrape by on 205 (i do mean scrape) and hate asking for more benifits.

Well on the one hand I want to applaud you for not wishing to burden the State any more than necessary and on the other I want to slap you about the head for being so silly.
While I have no time for waster/moochers, where the entitlements are genuinely needed, there's nothing wrong with getting your entitlements.