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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 4

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

23 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason working widows who pay full PRSI are only eligible for 50% disability benefit. [25060/00]

The primary objective of the social welfare system is to provide income support and, as a general rule, only one social welfare payment is payable to an individual at any one time.

This is designed to ensure that limited resources are not used to make two income support payments to any one individual.

An exception to this rule is made in the case of widows, widowers and other lone parents who are sick or unemployed. Where a person who is in receipt of a widow or widower's pension or one-parent family payment satisfies the relevant contribution conditions, they may be entitled to receive disability benefit or unemployment benefit at half rate for a period of up to 15 months, in addition to their pension. Furthermore, if they are entitled to a widow or widower's pension or one parent family payment at a reduced rate, that is on the basis of insufficient PRSI contributions or on means grounds, the rate of that payment is increased to the maximum level for the duration of their claim for disability or unemployment benefit.

These provisions discriminate positively in favour of widowed people and other lone parents. In the circumstances, I am satisfied that the current arrangements for payment of disability or unemployment benefit in addition to widow or widower's pension are reasonable.

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