Vol. 502 No. 1
157 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals, if any, he has to reform the death grant whereby this could be claimed by a brother or a sister for a single person, where either the deceased person or the brother or sister had PRSI eligibility or in any other cases where a claim cannot be made at present. [7384/99]
The death grant was introduced in October 1970 to help families meet the costs of funeral expenses.
I am delighted to inform the Deputy that I have recently announced changes in the death grant, which is being redesigned and upgraded in the following way: increasing the amount payable five-fold from £100 to £500; improving the coverage by easing the qualifying conditions and extending the scheme to other PRSI contributors. Eligibility can be based on the insurance record of the deceased person or his or her spouse; and renaming the scheme to bereavement grant.
Also, the Government has since agreed to backdate these changes from the original planned start-up date of 7 April 1999 to 2 February 1999.
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 during 1999.
Bereavement grant can actually be paid to the husband, wife, personal representative or next-of-kin, including the brother or sister, of the deceased person. It is paid to the person responsible for payment of the funeral bill.
