orangerhyme wrote: » I honestly don't think anyone's happy being on the dole. It's a boring life of no purpose or meaning. It's also very damaging to self-esteem and selfworth. People are happiest when they are busy and useful and have something to get up for in the morning. Anyone who says they are happy on the dole are either lying to you or themselves.
evolving tipperary wrote: » Is it a bonus? Or just paid double because won't be able to get payment during the week most are off for Christmas? Or is it a legit extra week?
pat ticket wrote: » If people want an xmas bonus then there should be a mechanism in place that they can have a couple of euro deducted off their weekly SW payments to be paid in a lump sum at xmas time. Or they could just do the above themselves.
iamwhoiam wrote: » I can only speak for the old age pension but my mam gets one extra payment in December which as far as i know is 85% of her normal weeks money
Bunny Colvin wrote: » Two weeks payment and a voucher for meat.
freshpopcorn wrote: » Last year it was 85% of your stard payment. Never heard anything about meat tough.
storker wrote: » Likewise. And where does it go? On presents for her grandkids or directly to her grandkids, who can't inject it back into the economy fast enough...
Deleted User wrote: you "outraged" about public service pensions are you?
Grayson wrote: » My mum spent most of it on coal.
justfillmein wrote: » in fairness though christmas is not a necessity for anyone. give a helping hand to those in need, to get by each week for food & bills yeah definitely. but to get extra for christmas is a kick in the teeth to anyone working that doesn't even get a bonus themselves in their job.
pat ticket wrote: » If people want an xmas bonus then there should be a mechanism in place that they can have a couple of euro deducted off their weekly SW payments to be paid in a lump sum at xmas time.
Yer Da sells Avon wrote: » On a related note, the next social welfare increase, if it's €5 like previous ones, will bring it up to €203 per week. A nuisance for post office staff. I wonder if they should maybe cap weekly payments at €200 for that year, with the extra €3 per week going into a fund, thus allowing jobseekers to occasionally request an extra €20 or so (providing evidence, of course) during weeks when they have several interviews. Job-seeking, if you're doing it properly, is not cheap.
Edgarfrndly wrote: » Christmas bonus takes the edge off around christmas, and helps alleviate some bills. Not all of us are in a position to work. I'm on disability due to long-term illness. I think it's a sad reflection of society that some people begrudge a little help around christmas. God forbid one of you was in a similar situation.
facehugger99 wrote: » Or maybe we could keep it for some infrastructure investment or something useful - over 200 a week to sit around on your arse all day? - what a country.
Emme wrote: The poor OAPs, disabled and carers spend it on heating fuel. Meaning the government gets a lot of it back.
Yer Da sells Avon wrote: » If you're actively seeking employment, €200 a week doesn't go very far.
facehugger99 wrote: » Anyone who can't get a job in the current economic climate isn't really trying all that hard.
Hitman3000 wrote: Ah now what would the permanently outraged do? I suppose they all could switch to whinging about "free" houses.