The free travel scheme is available to all people resident in Ireland, aged 66 years or over, to all carers in receipt of carer's allowance and also to certain people with disabilities under that age who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments. The other free schemes such as free electricity allowance, free TV licence and free telephone rental allowance are available to people living in the State, aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment and to certain people with disabilities under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments. In addition, widows-widowers aged from 60 to 65 whose late spouses had been in receipt of the free schemes retain that entitlement. This is to ensure that households do not suffer a loss of entitlements following the death of a spouse.
The free schemes were originally designed to benefit mainly older people in receipt of a social welfare type payment who were living alone and required additional assistance. However, over the years, additional categories of people have been included. It is proposed to undertake a fundamental review of the free schemes, commencing in March 1999, to assess whether the objectives of these schemes are being achieved in the most efficient and effective manner and the issue which the Deputy has raised will be examined as part of this review process.
Other supports which are available to the recently bereaved include the death grant which is a payment made to certain insured people and their families based on their PRSI contributions to assist in the payment of funeral expenses. From 6 April 1999, the death grant scheme will be redesigned and upgraded in the following way: increasing the amount payable five-fold from £100 to £500; and improving the coverage by easing the qualifying contribution conditions and extending the scheme to other PRSI contributors; These improvements, at an estimated cost of £10 million in a full year, are the first step in the development of a new and improved bereavement allowance. Other schemes, including the six week payments after death arrangements will be reviewed further in 1999.
A widow or widower in receipt of a widow's or widower's – contributory or non-contributory – pension may be entitled to receive half the personal rate of: unemployment benefit, disability benefit, health and safety benefit, occupational injuries benefit, maternity benefit and adoptive benefit.
In addition, a widow or widower may qualify for a fuel allowance and treatment benefits. They may also be entitled to assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme and a medical card, both of which are administered by the health boards.
