Bernard Allen
Question:340 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the cost, if any, there would be to the State if existing widowers were paid the survivor's pension from the day that they became widowers. [19181/97]
Written Answers. - Survivor's Pension.
The widower's contributory pension was introduced on 28 October 1994 and the widower's non-contributory pension was introduced on 17 October 1997. These are payable on the same basis as the existing widow's pensions.
While the cost the Deputy requests is not readily available there is little doubt that backdating the payment of the widower's pension in the way suggested by the Deputy would give rise to significant additional costs.