John Perry
Question:436 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will rescind the decision made on the death grant application for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6302/03]
Written Answers - Social Welfare Benefits.
The bereavement grant is based on PRSI contributions and is designed to assist families in dealing with death and funeral expenses. The grant is payable on the death of an insured person or a family member, including a child under the age of 18, or under the age of 22 if in full-time education. The grant is not payable on the death of a person over these ages, unless they are qualified on the basis of their PRSI contributions. As the person in question had not paid contributions, it was not possible to pay a bereavement grant in her case. Where there are insufficient PRSI contributions, a person may receive assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. Under this scheme, a health board may make a single payment to help meet once-off exceptional expenditure, for example, funeral expenses which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of his or her weekly income. Any change to the bereavement grant scheme will have to be considered in a budgetary context.