Vol. 477 No. 6
11 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Social Welfare the estimated cost to the Exchequer of introducing the widower's non-contributory pension and the number of persons who will qualify for the pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5830/97]
It is estimated that 1,000 widowers will qualify immediately under the new arrangements at an estimated net cost of £0.5 million in a full year. The scheme applies to widowers without dependent children. Widowers with dependent children are covered by the one parent family payment. This is one of my initiatives which completes the equal treatment of recipients of social welfare payments.
