Vol. 483 No. 4
34 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has for the introduction of a three month bereavement allowance during the first year of bereavement; if so, if he will give details of this proposed scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20464/97]
Following the death of a recipient of a social welfare payment of his-her spouse, the payment is continued at the same rate for six weeks in circumstances where both spouses have a separate entitlement, provided one or both of the entitlements is a non-contributory old age pension, a blind pension or a carer's allowance or where the payment includes an increase for a qualified adult. The six weeks payment does not arise where each spouse has an independent entitlement to an insurance based contributory pension.
I have asked my Department to examine the proposal to introduce a three months bereavement allowance during the first year of bereavement in certain circumstances. The introduction of such a payment or the extension of the existing arrangements for payments after death would have cost implications and would fall to be considered in a budgetary context.
