Vol. 440 No. 1
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Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 8 Mar 1994
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Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.
25 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason widowers will not qualify for a contributory old age pension until October 1994, in view of the fact that the majority of social welfare changes will come into operation in July 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The new widower's contributory pension is a significant break-through in the development of our social insurance system. It is by far the most significant measure to be introduced in social welfare since I extended social insurance to the self-employed in 1988. It also marks a major step forward in providing support for families where the wife has died.
The pension will be available to widowers on the same terms and subject to the same contribution conditions as currently apply to widows. Over 9,000 widowers will benefit from this first time scheme which is being introduced at a very substantial cost of some £27 million in a full year and over £6 million this year.
As this is a new scheme, it is being implemented in October rather than July. This will allow for the administrative arrangements to be put in place.
