asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a widow's pension has not been paid to date to a person (details supplied) in County Galway although her husband died on 4 December 1980.
Written Answers. - Widow's Pension Payment.
157.
The person concerned claimed a widow's pension from my Department on 20 January 1981, following the death of her husband on 2 December 1980. As the latter had been in receipt of an old age pension, she continued to be paid the pension for six weeks up to 15 January 1981 and could only qualify for widow's pension after that date. The inquiries in her case regarding possible entitlement to a contributory pension, arising out of the late husband's employment in Britain, have not yet been completed. She has, however, been awarded a widow's non-contributory pension at the maximum rate from 16 January 1981 and a pension order book has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her.
On completion of the inquiries regarding possible entitlement to a British widow's pension, the position will be reviewed.