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Child Item

Christmas bonus may be back

Kermit.de.frog

Should people be on the dole be getting a "bonus" for another year of unemployment at Christmas?

The red side of the government wants to bring it back.

What yeh reckon?

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c_man

Czarcasm wrote: »

To me this simply looks like Government trying to inspire confidence in the economy to get consumers out spending again -

http://www.thejournal.ie/christmas-bonus-budget-joan-burton-1678096-Sep2014/

Look at the photo! Yer man's living the life!

Tzardine

It's a tough one. There are plenty of wasters who spend their life on the dole and could not be arsed looking for work. The should get a kick up the hole , not a Christmas bonus.

Then there are the people (plenty of them) that struggle to make ends meet and are on the dole for many genuine reasons. They should he given a few extra Bob at Christmas if it's available.

But how do you work it out ?

Plus I always thought it's a bit unfair that people on the dole got a bonus but people working didn't. I.e. why does the revenue not give the same amount to workers in the form of additional tax credits in December.

Barely There

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

???

7 years, lets say 365 days - weekends 104 days x 7 = 1827 days or just over 1 application a day

You're right.
I meant per week.
Still reckon it's bollox though.

krudler

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

I know a lad who has been unemployed for nearly 7 years, He is 52 and used to work a steel press machine in a factory. He has applied for THOUSANDS of jobs and got nothing. Heads up....not everyone on long term unemployment is a useless layabout as you and your ilk seem to think :mad:

Thousands? come on now.

Timberrrrrrrr

Barely There wrote: »

You're right.
I meant per week.
Still reckon it's bollox though.

Why am i not surprised :rolleyes:

The Moldy Gowl

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

???

7 years, lets say 365 days - weekends 104 days x 7 = 1827 days or just over 1 application a day

Just over 1 a day? Lazy

jimgoose

ireland.man wrote: »

How about a tax break for all those on minimum wage?...

Are you completely out of your mind? A person on minimum wage pays less than €800 per annum between income tax, PRSI and USC.

0byme75341jo28

Tzardine wrote: »

It's a tough one. There are plenty of wasters who spend their life on the dole and could not be arsed looking for work. The should get a kick up the hole , not a Christmas bonus.

Then there are the people (plenty of them) that struggle to make ends meet and are on the dole for many genuine reasons. They should he given a few extra Bob at Christmas if it's available.

But how do you work it out ?

Plus I always thought it's a bit unfair that people on the dole got a bonus but people working didn't. I.e. why does the revenue not give the same amount to workers in the form of additional tax credits in December.

The idea is that there are more people living off €188 a week who are struggling to make ends meet, especially around Christmas time, than those who are working, which is probably the truth. Although I agree that if they're giving it to all Social Welfare recipients they should also give tax breaks to those who are in full-time employment that are struggling, maybe allow people to apply for tax breaks at Christmas time (is this already the case?). Giving tax breaks to all people in employment at Christmas time, along with all SW recipients, would be a bit much in my opinion.

I can understand why some people think it's unfair though.

Timberrrrrrrr

Gowlasauras Rex wrote: »

Just over 1 a day? Lazy

When i was unemployed there were days i applied for 10 jobs and other days i applied for none because there was nothing there. It averages out. To those saying it couldn't happen maybe you should chat to a few people who are long term unemployed and in their 50's and ask them how they are getting on with job offers.

Mrs Garth Brooks

rubadub wrote: »

Are there any other religious holidays where they considered giving people bonuses like this?

People tend to drink & spend a lot on St.Patricks day, or spend a lot on easter eggs at easter.

I know there used to be confirmation & communion grants.

Oh I like that, a paddies day bonus, I don't drink, but I'll find something to spend it on.

SEPT 23 1989

They will mainly spend it on cigarettes and cheap cider so a high proportion of the bonus will go straight back into government coffers

Timberrrrrrrr

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

They will mainly spend it on cigarettes and cheap cider so a high proportion of the bonus will go straight back into government coffers

:rolleyes:

padd b1975

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

I know a lad who has been unemployed for nearly 7 years, He is 52 and used to work a steel press machine in a factory. He has applied for THOUSANDS of jobs and got nothing. Heads up....not everyone on long term unemployment is a useless layabout as you and your ilk seem to think :mad:

What has he done to upgrade his skills during this time?

Timberrrrrrrr

padd b1975 wrote: »

What has he done to upgrade his skills during this time?

Read my posts and you will find out.

Tzardine

padd b1975 wrote: »

What has he done to upgrade his skills during this time?

I bet his joint rolling has improved.

sorry joking. Couldn't resist 😃

Caliden

Why not give it to everyone on a salary <35k/year as a tax credit?

Some of those people are struggling just as much as some on the dole.

EmilyHoward

Cutting USC is the only fair way to distribute any gains in the economy and encourage people back to work. Raising yearly dole payments (by means of christmas bonus or whatever) so they are closer to a minimum wage salary is pure madness.

Boskowski

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Yup he did he did 2 years comptia A+ and Network+ and then worked for a 9 months doing jobbridge and still can't get taken on. simple fact is men over a certain age find it harder to get employed.

Are these computer courses? Seriously I blame places like jobbridge or whatever they're called.
Do they really believe training a near 50 year old steel worker some IT skills will get him an IT job?

That's like saying I could stll learn to play the violin like a virtuoso. I mean it's technically not impossible but practically?

Gatling

Can't ever see it coming back .
People seriously need to learn how to budget with what they have and learn to say no to demanding kids .

0byme75341jo28

Boskowski wrote: »

Are these computer courses? Seriously I blame places like jobbridge or whatever they're called.
Do they really believe training a near 50 year old steel worker some IT skills will get him an IT job?

That's like saying I could stll learn to play the violin like a virtuoso. I mean it's technically not impossible but practically?

IT skills always come in handy though, it will at least make him some bit more employable.

Boskowski

David Thundering Tongue wrote: »

IT skills always come in handy though, it will at least make him some bit more employable.

That's true. But I've seen specialised IT courses offered to people in their late fourties who wouldn't know where the On button is. General IT course is grand as a life skill and job prospect enhancer but there's hardly an actual IT job going to come out of this which is what some of these people are led to believe.

0byme75341jo28

Boskowski wrote: »

That's true. But I've seen specialised IT courses offered to people in their late fourties who wouldn't know where the On button is. General IT course is grand as a life skill and job prospect enhancer but there's hardly an actual IT job going to come out of this which is what some of these people are led to believe.

Yeah, I agree. There's a chance of getting an IT job of course, but it's unlikely.

Frigga_92

Tzardine wrote: »

But how do you work it out ?

I would've thought it'd be simple enough for the Social Welfare to figure out who the gangsters on the dole are.
Okay so, John has been on the dole since 1987.... maybe we shouldn't give him a Christmas bonus.
Michael has been on the dole since January of this year and has never claimed before... maybe we'll give him a few bob for Santa.

I'm not in favour of the Christmas bonus at all but if they were going to reinstate it, it certainly shouldn't be for every claimant.
A lot of employers give employees the One4All gift vouchers these days as they're tax deductible, maybe the SW could do some version of that?

krudler

Gatling wrote: »

Can't ever see it coming back .
People seriously need to learn how to budget with what they have and learn to say no to demanding kids .

Christmas does tend to bring out the crazy in parents, nothing wrong with wanting to treat the kids but jesus, ipads and beats headphones seem to be the main gifts lately.

Gatling

krudler wrote: »

Christmas does tend to bring out the crazy in parents, nothing wrong with wanting to treat the kids but jesus, ipads and beats headphones seem to be the main gifts lately.

Yes i know one family one child aged 5 and another aged 7 ipad each ps4 for the older kid and then 300-400 each on one outfit for the day .
Then asking svp to pay there bills because they can't afford to feed the family and pay bills on social welfare

Faolchu

Boskowski wrote: »

Are these computer courses? Seriously I blame places like jobbridge or whatever they're called.
Do they really believe training a near 50 year old steel worker some IT skills will get him an IT job?

there are plent of level 1 tech support roles that could be filled by someone with these skills, said individual if so inclined could if they put the effort in gain CCNA and MCSE certification within 2-3 years giving them a chance at a better IT Role if they mainatined on the job training gaining experience and exposure. teh question is is said friend willing or even able to work for 20-25K a year at that age with presumably a family to support and teh loss of maybe medical cards for teh family and obviously the costs associated with these certification paths.

Today alone there are at least 10 jobs posted on Monster and Irish jobs that his 9 months exprience and certification wild meet the minium experience requirements for in Dublin.

sadly the friends choice of alternative field was a poor one based upon the level the above mentioned certification is aimed at and his age. chances age given this info any employer will write him off.

Last_Minute

If you want to stay on welfare your entire life, just do it.

If you want to work, work.

If you want to be happy and not have people criticise you choice of lifestyle, don't come to After Hours!

JONJO THE MISER

The thing about the xmas bonus is that all the money will be spent in the economy, it will act as a great stimulus for the economy.

Timberrrrrrrr

Faolchu wrote: »

there are plent of level 1 tech support roles that could be filled by someone with these skills, said individual if so inclined could if they put the effort in gain CCNA and MCSE certification within 2-3 years giving them a chance at a better IT Role if they mainatined on the job training gaining experience and exposure. teh question is is said friend willing or even able to work for 20-25K a year at that age with presumably a family to support and teh loss of maybe medical cards for teh family and obviously the costs associated with these certification paths.

Today alone there are at least 10 jobs posted on Monster and Irish jobs that his 9 months exprience and certification wild meet the minium experience requirements for in Dublin.

sadly the friends choice of alternative field was a poor one based upon the level the above mentioned certification is aimed at and his age. chances age given this info any employer will write him off.

And he applies or these jobs but so do 50 twenty somethings with masters degrees. As i said his age goes against him hence he is unemployed so long proving that not every person on long term unemployment is a scrounger as some would have us believe.

RayM

David Thundering Tongue wrote: »

Not sure if you're joking, but I agree with cutting the 3 euro. It probably only gets spent on a coffee or something after going to the post office to collect their money by most people. Don't think many would miss it tbh, and it would save the gubberment a good bit of bob.

I'm being totally serious (you should see my face right now). Rounding it down to €185 and bringing back some sort of Christmas Bonus would probably hurt my local Costa, but it would result in a timely injection of extra cash for retailers at Christmas.