2015

Doyle encourages everyone in Wicklow to shop local this Christmas and support Wicklow businesses

Andrew 2015, Dáil Éireann, Finance, Jobs Enterprise Innovation, Wicklow - East Carlow

artisan1_largeFine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle is encouraging everyone inWicklow to shop local this Christmas and supportWicklow businesses.

“Small and family businesses inWicklow are the lifeblood of our local economy and have played a crucial role in the recovery that is now well underway. I’m calling on everyone inWicklow who’s going out to do their Christmas shopping in the coming days and weeks to think local first.

“I would also like to remind employers inWicklow that they can now gift their staff Christmas bonus vouchers of up to €500 tax free. Up until now, an employer could only provide an employee with a once-off, annual non-cash tax-free benefit to the value of €250. This tax change is a great incentive for employers to reward staff with a larger bonus for Christmas and it will provide a significant boost to the local economy here inWicklow where I would encourage people to spend those vouchers.

“Fine Gael has a long term plan to keep the recovery going and we’re working to ensure more people feel the benefits of a recovering economy in their own lives. Supporting local businesses here inWicklow this Christmas will further help to ensure the recovery is felt by as many people as possible this Christmas.”

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Better support for 15,014 of elderly people in Wicklow as Christmas approaches – Doyle

Andrew 2015, Dáil Éireann, Finance, Health, Wicklow - East Carlow

Christmas bonus for over 580,000 pensioners across Ireland

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle, has said that this Government is continuing to protect the elderly, and is providing better support to 15,014 of elderly people in Wicklow.

“Fine Gael has always sought to protect elderly people in Wicklow and will continue to do so. This year, as a result of Budget 2016, across Wicklow, approximately 15,014 of pensioners are benefitting from a small increase of €3 in the weekly rate of all pension payments, for those aged 66 and over.

“In a further move to support older people, the Government decided to increase the Christmas bonus in Budget 2016. In Wicklow almost 15,014 of elderly people will receive a 75% Christmas bonus, on top of their pension. It means a pensioner couple who are both in receipt of the non-contributory State Pension will receive a bonus payment of €328.50. The bonus, which was abolished by the Fianna Fáil government in 2009, will be paid during the first week of December.

“Elderly people in Wicklow are also benefiting from an increase in the rate of the Fuel Allowance by €2.50 per week, from €20 to €22.50 per week. The allowance is paid for 26 weeks from October to April. Budget 2016 also introduced an increase in funding for Free Travel by €3 million, from €77 million to €80 million, ensuring sustainability of the service for 836,000 Free Travel pass holders

“Fine Gael’s top priority is to keep the recovery going and thanks to the Irish people we are now seeing economic progress, with 135,000 more people at work. More people in work means less tax for working people and more revenue to invest in better services. This will ensure more people and families feel the benefits of a recovering economy in their own lives. It also means we can afford to give a little back to the people who need it most. I am pleased that Fine Gael is continuing to support elderly people by increasing the Pension, the Christmas bonus and the Fuel Allowance.”