Vol. 518 No. 6
441 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to address the discrepancy in the rates of payments between widows occupational injuries benefit and widows pension which is decreasing each year as recipients of the former are not afforded the full rate increase afforded to all other widows; his future plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13122/00]
Widow's and widower's pensions under the occupational injuries benefit scheme are paid at a higher rate than other social welfare payments. For example, following the general £4 increase which came into effect last week, the weekly rate of widow's pension under the occupational injuries benefit scheme has been increased to £99.40. This is £18.30 a week higher than the equivalent rate of social insurance widow's pension which is paid to widows under 66 years of age and £10.30 a week higher than the widow's pension which is paid to widows aged 66 and over.
The aim of the special increases which have been given to those aged 66 and over since 1998 is to make progress towards achieving the Government's priority for the attainment of a minimum rate of £100 a week for all social welfare old age pensioners by 2002.
The rate of occupational injuries benefit widow's pension which is payable to widows aged 66 and over will continue to be included in the commitment to achieve a minimum rate of £100 a week for all social welfare old age pensioners by 2002.
The question of the appropriate relationship between the levels of payments provided for under the occupational injuries benefit scheme and the other social welfare payments is one of the issues which is being addressed in the context of the expenditure review of the illness and disability payment schemes, which is currently being carried out. The findings of this review will guide future policy in this regard and I look forward to receiving the results in due course.
442 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when a farm assist appeal for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be finalised. [13123/00]
The person concerned had been in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £72.50 based on a means assessment of £6 per week made in February 1988.
His means were reviewed in December 1999 following his claim for farm assist. The social welfare inspector re-assessed the person's means at £27 per week derived from the farm holding giving him entitlement to payment at the rate of £50.50 per week.
He appealed against this decision to the social welfare appeals office and in this context his case was reviewed by a social welfare inspector. The amount of means assessed was reduced to £15 per week following this review, giving entitlement to payment at the rate of £62.50 per week.
