Vol. 375 No. 4
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans he has to change existing regulations from 1 January 1988 in relation to persons who are at present entitled to draw half rate disability benefit and unemployment benefit plus pay-related benefit; if disability benefit claims made after 1 January 1988 will be affected; the other overlapping benefits which will be affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
53.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons who will be affected by his decision to disallow widows from receiving disability benefit; the average income of the persons affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 61 and 53 together.
Under existing provisions recipients of widows pension, deserted wife's payments, unmarried mother's allowance or prisoners wife's allowance may receive half rate disability benefit when absent from work due to illness in addition to their full pension. From January 1988 new claimants to disability benefit who are receiving a widow's pension, deserted wife's payments, unmarried mother's allowance or prisoners wife's allowance will not be entitled to claim disability benefit in addition. Women who are already in receipt of both payments, however, will retain their entitlement for the duration of their current claims to disability benefit. There is no information available on the average income of those affected.
There are a number of areas under the social welfare code where overlaps occur and give rise to anomalies and these are currently under examination within my Department. Any measures which may be taken on foot of this examination will apply only to future claimants and existing recipients will not be affected.
