asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the hardship being experienced by working widows and deserted wives who go sick and who do not receive disability benefit, he will allow widows and deserted wives in these circumstances to opt to make voluntary contribution in order that when they are sick and absent from work they would not suffer too large a reduction in their income; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Voluntary Contributions for Benefit.
49.
Widows and deserted wives who are in receipt of a social welfare widow's contributory pension or deserted wife's benefit may continue to receive those payments while in employment. They are not entitled to disability benefit in addition in respect of absences from work due to illness. However, a working widow or deserted wife continues to receive her full pension or allowance while absent from work due to illness.
Under the social insurance system as a general rule an insured person is not entitled to receive more than one payment at any one time. There are no proposals at present to enable widows to make voluntary contributions so as to qualify for disability benefit.