Micheál Martin
Question:465 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he intends to grant retrospective payments to widowers back to the date of the death of their late spouses in line with EU equality directives. [1164/97]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
EC Directive 79/7 provided for the progressive implementation of the principle of equal treatment between men and women in matters of social security in the case of statutory schemes covering sickness, invalidity, unemployment, old age and occupational accidents and diseases. The scope of this directive provided for a number of exeptions, primarily survivors benefits, family benefits and pensionable age.
There are no EU directives which provide for the granting of retrospective payments to widowers back to the date of the death of their late spouses nor are there any EU directives which provide for equality of treatment as between men and women in relation to survivors benefits.
Nevertheless, the process of providing for equal treatment as between men and women in relation to the remaining areas of the social welfare code which were not covered by EC Directive 79/7 commenced in 1989, with the introduction of a non-contributory widower's pension and deserted husband's allowance scheme for widowers and deserted husbands rearing children. The introducton of the lone parent's allowance scheme in 1990 continues this process by providing for a single social assistance payment for all lone parents who were rearing children. The non-contributory widower's pension and deserted husband's allowance schemes were subsumed into the lone parent's allowance scheme. In 1994, a contributory widower's pension scheme was introduced on the same basis as the existing widow's contributory pension scheme.
The new one parent family payment, which I introduced with effect from the beginning of this month, replaces the existing lone parent's allowance and deserted wife's benefit/allowance and prisoner's wife's allowance schemes for new claimants. This new payment covers both men and women and also applies regardless of whether one is unmarried, separated or divorced. The introduction of the one parent family payment also marks the end of the concept of desertion in the social welfare code.
Any further improvements in this area are matters for consideration in a budgetary context.
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
Question:466 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he has instituted an inquiry into the contents of a letter (details supplied) sent to his Department on 8 December 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1216/97]
The question refers to the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. This scheme is administered by the eight regional health boards on behalf of my Department. My Department has no function in dealing with the day to day operation of the scheme.
I understand that the health board concerned has instituted an inquiry into the matter raised in the letter referred to by the Deputy. It is still pursuing its inquiries. If further action is required it will refer the matter to the appropriate authorities as necessary.