Vol. 441 No. 8
14 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to apply widower's pension to persons who would be eligible under EC Directive 79/7 regarding social payments who were to apply in full; and if attention has been drawn to any court findings on claims entered on behalf of widowers.
EC Directive 79/7 provided for the progressive implementation of the principle of equal treatment between men and women in matters of social security. This directive applies to schemes providing protection against sickness, invalidity, old age, accidents at work, occupational diseases and unemployment. The scope of the directive does not extend to survivor's benefits.
The Social Welfare Act, 1994 provides for the introduction of a new survivor's pension which I propose to bring into force from October next. This new scheme will entitle widowers to a contributory pension on the same terms and subject to the same contribution conditions as currently apply to widows. Over 9,000 widowers will benefit under the new arrangements which are being introduced at a cost of some £27 million in a full year.
The introduction of the new survivor's pension is a major achievement in the provision of equal treatment in the social insurance system following on progress already made in the area of social assistance payments. I introduced a new social assistance allowance for widowers with dependent children in 1989 which was subsequently incorporated into the lone parent's allowance which I introduced in 1990.
I am not aware of any court findings on claims entered on behalf of widowers.
