Tony Gregory
Question:100 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare his view on the concerns of the Irish Widowers and Deserted Husbands Association as outlined in a circular (details supplied). [7125/95]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
As announced in the budget, I propose to amalgamate both the lone parent's allowance and the deserted wife's benefit schemes to form a new uniform scheme and to abolish the need for a person to prove desertion to qualify for a payment.
While the precise details of the new scheme have not been finalised, the payment will be related to household income and the number of children. It will be structured so as to both minimise the possibility of poverty traps and maintain the incentive for lone parents to return to employment.
I intend to meet all interested parties, including the Irish Widowers and Deserted Husbands Association. This meeting will take place as soon as I have draft proposals prepared.
Joe Walsh
Question:102 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of people in receipt of survivor's pension: and the number of widowers in receipt of this pension. [7193/95]
At end February 1995 there was a total of 92,358 people in receipt of a survivor's pension, of which 4,639 were widowers.