Frank Crowley
Question:21 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Social Welfare the organisations, if any, he has met in relation to the introduction of a widower's pension.
Written Answers. - Widowers' Pension Entitlement.
Bernard Allen
Question:64 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he intends to introduce legislation to eliminate the inequality towards widowers.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 64 together.
I meet a large number of organisations on a wide range of issues relating to social welfare. At these meetings issues which relate to widowers sometimes arise. Specifically, I meet the Irish Widowers and Separated Fathers Association at the annual pre-budget forum which I introduced to give organisations representing people on social welfare the opportunity to put forward their priorities for the budget.
In 1989 I extended the widow's (noncontributory) pension scheme to cover widowers with dependent children. Prior to that there had been no specific schemes for widowers. Provision for widowers was expanded further in 1990 when I introduced the lone parent's allowance which provides an allowance, on a means-tested basis to lone parents including widowers, who are bringing up a child without the support of a partner. The cost of extending to widowers the present social insurance contributory pension for widows is estimated to be in the region of £25 million in a full year.
The question of social insurance cover for widowers is being examined by the National Pensions Board in the context of its proposals for a new national pensions system. I expect to receive the board's report shortly and I will examine the matter again in the context of their recommendations.