asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in payment of a death grant, a funeral grant and a widow's contributory pension to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and when payment of sick benefit due for 1 December 1988 to 31 December 1988 will be made.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payments.
66.
The late husband of the person concerned was last insurably employed in the United Kingdom. She applied for a death grant on 2 February 1989.
To qualify for a death grant certain insurance contribution conditions need to be satisfied on the insurance record of the deceased person. As the late husband of the person concerned did not have an Irish insurance record, details of his United Kingdom contributions have been requested to ascertain if a death grant may be paid on the basis of such contributions.
A funeral grant is only payable where the insured person dies as a result of an occupational accident or disease. The Department has no trace of a claim to a funeral grant from the person concerned. There is no trace either of a claim from the person concerned for a contributory widow's pension. A claim form has been issued to her. When this form is completed and returned her claim will be considered and she will be notified of the outcome.
Under EC regulations, the disability benefit claim is the responsibility of the UK authorities. The claim was forwarded to the Department of Health and Social Security early last month for their consideration together with the medical evidence in connection with the claim.