Christmas Bonus back on the table for pensioners?

Demonique

http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/budget-2015-christmas-bonus-for-pensioners-back-on-the-table-30647567.html


So it's back on the table for pensioners but not for any of the other people who used to receive it? What about people on Disability Allowance? It could it argued that the disabled are amongst the most vulnerable people in society? Disability Benefit? People in receipt of Carer's Allowance? People on Job Seekers?

Robbo

Yes, but only linked to productivity improvements. They'll have to produce 14% more meandering anecdotes and spend 8% more time holding up the queue in the Post Office.

Tar.Aldarion

Demonique wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/budget-2015-christmas-bonus-for-pensioners-back-on-the-table-30647567.html


So it's back on the table for pensioners but not for any of the other people who used to receive it? What about people on Disability Allowance? It could it argued that the disabled are amongst the most vulnerable people in society? Disability Benefit? People in receipt of Carer's Allowance? People on Job Seekers?

Pensioners vote in large numbers, they also always do so and of course will vote according to their interest.

The government are less interested in helping those in need than that.

cloud493

Could be. Or it could be the usual set of budget rumours to insulate us, so when the actual budget is released, we all think its 'not that bad' compared to the rumours.

AnonoBoy

Robbo wrote: »

Yes, but only linked to productivity improvements. They'll have to produce 14% more meandering anecdotes and spend 8% more time holding up the queue in the Post Office.

Werther's Original sales will need to see a rise too before I'd be happy with any sort of OAP bonus scheme.

oceanman

Demonique wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/budget-2015-christmas-bonus-for-pensioners-back-on-the-table-30647567.html


So it's back on the table for pensioners but not for any of the other people who used to receive it? What about people on Disability Allowance? It could it argued that the disabled are amongst the most vulnerable people in society? Disability Benefit? People in receipt of Carer's Allowance? People on Job Seekers?

agree, why give to one group of people and not the others?..

0byme75341jo28

They'll be dead soon anyway.

Mr. Incognito

Considering Most People Die in January

Windfall!

mug_holder

pensioners had no recession compared to the majority of people , a few reductions in phone rental allowance and a cut in the fuel allowance during months when the weather isnt even cold , the old age pension rate remained untouched

an utterly depressing move , FG are only marginally less populist than FF

Generic Dreadhead

mug_holder wrote: »

pensioners had no recession compared to the majority of people

*Grabs Popcorn*

Berserker

mug_holder wrote: »

pensioners had no recession compared to the majority of people , a few reductions in phone rental allowance and a cut in the fuel allowance during months when the weather isnt even cold , the old age pension rate remained untouched

an utterly depressing move , FG are only marginally less populist than FF

All will be taken care of w.r.t. to freebies, with the exception of the people who actually footed the bill, i.e. middle and upper class workers. It might be populist but it is an accurate reflection of just how shallow politics is. This will earn FG votes in the next election. If they didn't do this FF, ULA, SF etc would use it as a vote catcher themselves.

mug_holder

Berserker wrote: »

All will be taken care of w.r.t. to freebies, with the exception of the people who actually footed the bill, i.e. middle and upper class workers. It might be populist but it is an accurate reflection of just how shallow politics is. This will earn FG votes in the next election. If they didn't do this FF, ULA, SF etc would use it as a vote catcher themselves.

this is worse than restoring public sector pay rates as pensioners suffered no cuts during the recession , the old age pension is almost double what it is in the uk and the uk views their state pension as unsustainable going forward

awarding pensioners an xmas bonus undoes good work which was done during the recession in terms of instilling an attitude of fiscal rectitude

0byme75341jo28

If we killed everyone then we wouldn't have to spend any money.

mug_holder

Nickolas Slimy Pepperoni wrote: »

If we killed everyone then we wouldn't have to spend any money.

better still , if you pay me a million for magic seeds , i promise it will produce a billion euro per year and you can throw it around like confetti

see , saying stupid things is fun

Berserker

Nickolas Slimy Pepperoni wrote: »

If we killed everyone then we wouldn't have to spend any money.

What a sensible and mature point .......................

0byme75341jo28

I can say stupid things too.

Conservatism.

imitation

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

Pensioners vote in large numbers, they also always do so and of course will vote according to their interest.

The government are less interested in helping those in need than that.

You would wonder why they bother. FG will get wrecked next election, FF will be back in and then it will be bonuses and pay rises all over the shop until it goes off the rails again..

Berserker

Nickolas Slimy Pepperoni wrote: »

I can say stupid things too.

Conservatism. Socialism

Fixed that for you.

0byme75341jo28

Berserker wrote: »

Fixed that for you. I didn't fix that for you.

Fixed that for you.

mikom

Vote catching.

Don't be fooled, Grandpa Mikom.

RobertKK

The government would be better off removing the levy they have on private pensions, which is nothing more than state theft. A tax on money that has already been taxed.
Then they want people to take out private pensions...

Berserker

RobertKK wrote: »

The government would be better off removing the levy they have on private pensions, which is nothing more than state theft. A tax on money that has already been taxed.
Then they want people to take out private pensions...

That would be a smart thing to do but they would be ripped to shreds for doing it. It would be a political error and a half. You have to remember that people who have private pensions are "wealthy". Ditto for the people who have the cheek of being prudent enough to put a few lousy grand in the bank instead of wasting it on god knows what.

Mrs Garth Brooks

Is this to get their votes?

They should increase the dole for under 25s since they're going to make them do courses and force them into job bridge work for 40 hours a week.

Shower of basterds.

Chucken

mug_holder wrote: »

pensioners had no recession compared to the majority of people , a few reductions in phone rental allowance and a cut in the fuel allowance during months when the weather isnt even cold , the old age pension rate remained untouched

an utterly depressing move , FG are only marginally less populist than FF

They've gone through more shit than you will ever go through.

Turtyturd

Good move to buy votes, will probably see a pension increase in the following budget too, but as has been said there are other people relying on welfare who have been hit a lot harder the past few years that the extra money would make a bigger difference to.

Roger_007

RobertKK wrote: »

The government would be better off removing the levy they have on private pensions, which is nothing more than state theft. A tax on money that has already been taxed.
Then they want people to take out private pensions...

They should tax the money that the pension companies cream off from the contributions instead.

mug_holder

Chucken wrote: »

They've gone through more shit than you will ever go through.

you know nothing about me

Skylinehead

Chucken wrote: »

They've gone through more shit than you will ever go through.

Doesn't change the fact that there's people who've been squeezed far more than pensioners this time around, who need this sort of thing much more.

hmmm

Roger_007 wrote: »

They should tax the money that the pension companies cream off from the contributions instead.

The levy already costs more than the companies charge.

And I agree with the above posters, if this payment does happen it is purely a cynical political stunt using taxpayers money.

woodoo

Its quite depressing that they are going down this route again. There is also talk of reintroducing it for welfare recipients. As far as the OAP's are concerned they have sailed through this recession virtually untouched.

In Lonesome Dove

Skylinehead wrote: »

Doesn't change the fact that there's people who've been squeezed far more than pensioners this time around, who need this sort of thing much more.

Also there are pensioners in other countries that aren't pitied as much as the Irish pensioners. Any time there was even an attempt to cut or chop from them poor stories go rolling about the place and to be quite honest it is just manipulative bullsh1t. Can they not pay for their fuel? Their own TV licence?

mug_holder

In Lonesome Dove wrote: »

Also there are pensioners in other countries that aren't pitied as much as the Irish pensioners. Any time there was even an attempt to cut or chop from them poor stories go rolling about the place and to be quite honest it is just manipulative bullsh1t. Can they not pay for their fuel? Their own TV licence?

its one thing not cutting the pension , now that the country is recovering, it would be politically stupid to cut a sector the population who have uncondtional support from the vast majority of people but to increase their conditions is just such a waste of hard earned work this past few years

the state pension is ludicrously generous in this country and is completely unsustainable

Gatling

Newspaper reports quoting Joan Burton .

No Christmas bonus or telephone allowance coming back for pensioners

mug_holder

woodoo wrote: »

Its quite depressing that they are going down this route again. There is also talk of reintroducing it for welfare recipients. As far as the OAP's are concerned they have sailed through this recession virtually untouched.

pensioners are the strongest voting bloc in the country , i used to think it was the public sector

no wonder pensioners have at least three public funded QUANGO,s who earn a living potraying the elderly as poverty stricken , strong representation is a reflection of political strength

watch out for a guy called eamon timmins who heads age action ireland , guy spreads mistruths all of the time about conditions amongst the elderly

In Lonesome Dove

woodoo wrote: »

Its quite depressing that they are going down this route again. There is also talk of reintroducing it for welfare recipients. As far as the OAP's are concerned they have sailed through this recession virtually untouched.

That Xmas bonus was scrapped for some years now. People who are unemployed for example with perhaps some kids would have planned for Xmas throughout the year. Perhaps to limit gift giving. Maybe buying a toy once a month in tk max and sparing it over for the Xmas.

I would much prefer if the water charges were stalled for a month or two because bills in January are sh1t. A bill in January is more sh1t.

mug_holder

woodoo wrote: »

Its quite depressing that they are going down this route again. There is also talk of reintroducing it for welfare recipients. As far as the OAP's are concerned they have sailed through this recession virtually untouched.

pensioners are the strongest voting bloc in the country , i used to think it was the public sector

no wonder pensioners have at least three public funded QUANGO,s who earn a living potraying the elderly as poverty stricken , strong representation is a reflection of political strength

watch out for a guy called eamon timmins who heads age action ireland , guy spreads untruths all of the time about conditions amongst the elderly

anncoates

mug_holder wrote: »

pensioners had no recession compared to the majority of people

You realize recessions weren't invented in 2007?

Spanish Eyes

sorry for shouting, but PENSIONERS ACTUALLY VOTE!

So there you have it. And they can mobilise in great numbers outside the Dail to make their case for more moolah.

The rest of us are at work, minding our kids, getting the messages, minding our parents, paying the bills, turning off the water, hoping the reduced aisle in Tesco has something left, driving or commuting for hours. You get the drift.

Whew, pensioners have TIME to fight!

coolhull

mug_holder wrote: »

t
awarding pensioners an xmas bonus undoes good work which was done during the recession in terms of instilling an attitude of fiscal rectitude

When you've walked a mile in their shoes, then your opinion on OAP's might be worth listening to

c_man

Grandkids everywhere are delighted.

mug_holder

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

sorry for shouting, but PENSIONERS ACTUALLY VOTE!

So there you have it. And they can mobilise in great numbers outside the Dail to make their case for more moolah.

The rest of us are at work, minding our kids, getting the messages, minding our parents, paying the bills, turning off the water, hoping the reduced aisle in Tesco has something left, driving or commuting for hours. You get the drift.

Whew, pensioners have TIME to fight!

people protest against cuts , i dont think pensioners should be cut , i think they should have been cut five budgets ago but since the country is recovering , it would be political suicide to cut now and besides , fianna fail would react by promising to add fifty euro to the old age pension were they elected

their was no need to float this idea of restoring the xmas bonus , not doing so would not have reduced the goverments chances of re-election

Berserker

Roger_007 wrote: »

They should tax the money that the pension companies cream off from the contributions instead.

What money are they creaming off pension contributions? You can be as specific as you like.

In Lonesome Dove wrote: »

Any time there was even an attempt to cut or chop from them poor stories go rolling about the place and to be quite honest it is just manipulative bullsh1t.

Nice to see someone call it like it is. Cutting welfare for people who have absolutely no interest in working needs to be added to that. Jobs in cafes etc were below them during the Celtic tiger and the government rewarded them for it. They have no problem living off the backs of the people who work in those cafes.

mug_holder

coolhull wrote: »

When you've walked a mile in their shoes, then your opinion on OAP's might be worth listening to

no clue what that means

Smidge

Gatling wrote: »

Newspaper reports quoting Joan Burton .

No Christmas bonus or telephone allowance coming back for pensioners

I'd say she just hated giving that news.

mug_holder

coolhull wrote: »

When you've walked a mile in their shoes, then your opinion on OAP's might be worth listening to

no clue what that means

i do know that despite the recovery , ireland is not the land of milk and honey and we cannot afford to engage in endless paying tribute to pensioners , the state pension in ireland is already far higher than in most countries in the EU

Berserker

coolhull wrote: »

When you've walked a mile in their shoes, then your opinion on OAP's might be worth listening to

So, you need to be an OAP to pass comment on OAPs?

Gatling

Smidge wrote: »

I'd say she just hated giving that news.

Personally i hope she enjoyed it ,
Im so going to get burned but I think shes done a great job trying to fix the welfare system and to think people called her cuts savage but yet she could have gone a lot further

Smidge

Gatling wrote: »

Personally i hope she enjoyed it ,
Im so going to get burned but I think shes done a great job trying to fix the welfare system and to think people called her cuts savage but yet she could have gone a lot further

You're her oh, aren't you?
And she's watching you, isn't she?
:eek:

lulu1

I am all for caring for our elderly but why do they need a xmax bonus surly the family on sw would need it more. All this talk about the poor pensoner and them not being able to live on the pension 200e should be more than enough to live on a week. A friend of mine cared for an 90 year old gentelman and he had drawers coat pockets and anywhere that he could find stuffed with 20 and 50e notes he didnt want to buy a thing yet when she bought it with her own money he would have ate plate and all. As for the phone even with the allowance it was still to expensive. He even got got an extra bedroom and shower room built on never put his arse into it Sorry but I think they are well enough off I know familys living on less

Spanish Eyes

Gatling wrote: »

Personally i hope she enjoyed it ,
Im so going to get burned but I think shes done a great job trying to fix the welfare system and to think people called her cuts savage but yet she could have gone a lot further

I'm no Labour supporter, but she sure got a poisoned chalice there!

FG did not want any of their esteemed members to be tainted with that job given the times that were in it.

She was at the top of her game as Shadow Finance spokesperson back in the FF days.. That's where her talents lie I think.

Gatling

Smidge wrote: »

You're her oh, aren't you?
And she's watching you, isn't she?
:eek:

Shhhhhhhh she'll hear you