Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 4

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Denis Naughten

Question:

293 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason widows and single parents are not considered as similar in the social welfare system; the plans, if any, he has to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20610/99]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Widow/ers and single parents are provided for under the social welfare system through three schemes, the widow/er's contributory pension, the widow/er's non-contributory pension and the one-parent family payment, OFP.

The widow/er's contributory pension is available to all widows and widowers who can satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions based on their own or their late spouse's contribution record.

The pension is not means tested and is not affected by other income such as earnings which a widow/er might have. The pension will continue in payment as long as the person does not remarry or cohabit. Widow/ers who do not qualify for a contributory pension may, depending on means and whether or not they have dependent children, receive either a widow/er's non contributory pension or a one-parent family payment, OFP.

The OFP is intended as a support for people who are bringing up children or their own and treats all categories of lone parent whether they are widowed, separated or unmarried in the same way. The main difference between the OFP and the widow's non-contributory pension relates to the means test which allows an OFP recipient to earn up to £115.38 per week without affecting his/her payment with only 50 per cent of earnings from that level to £230.76 per week being counted as means. The more generous means test applying to the OFP is linked to the presence of dependent children and is designed to recognise the particular problems and expenses faced by those bringing up children on their own and to encourage them to consider employment as an alternative to long-term welfare dependency. Rules in relation to marriage and cohabitation, which apply to widow/er's pensions, also apply to the OFP. However, payment of an OFP also ceases when the person no longer has dependent children. Widow/ers who are former OFP recipients can then claim the widow/er's non contributory pension while others may apply for schemes such as unemployment assistance, supplementary welfare allowance etc.

The OFP is currently being reviewed under the Department's expenditure review programme and this will, amongst other things, include an examination of the means test, the success of the current arrangements, which were introduced in 1997, in encouraging single parents to take up employment and the position of lone parents vis a vis other welfare recipients. It is expected that the review will be completed early next year.

Michael Ring

Question:

294 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive arrears of disability allowance from the date of discharge; and if the arrears will issue immediately in view of the long delay in getting the appeal finalised. [20618/99]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The arrears of disability allowance due in this case will be issued to the person concerned on 21 October 1999.