Richard Bruton
Question:26 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare the future proposals, if any, he plans to introduce in order to strengthen equality provisions within the social welfare code.
Vol. 430 No. 6
26 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare the future proposals, if any, he plans to introduce in order to strengthen equality provisions within the social welfare code.
47 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he intends to review the social welfare system to ensure that it is not sexist.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 47 together.
Equal treatment of men and women under the social security system has been provided for in legislation in accordance with the terms of the EC Directive in this matter.
The main area not covered by the EC Directive is that of survivors' pensions. In the 1989 Social Welfare Act I extended the widow's (non-contributory) pension scheme to cover widowers with dependent children. Prior to that there had been no specific schemes for widowers. This was expanded in the 1990 Social Welfare Act by the introduction of the lone parents allowance which made provision for the various categories of lone parents including both widowers and separated and deserted fathers.
The social insurance schemes for widowers and deserted wives do not apply to men. The cost of extending to widowers and deserted husbands the present social insurance arrangements for widows and deserted wives estimated to be in the region of £50 million in a full year.