Vol. 569 No. 5
120 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she proposes to ease means testing in the case of applicants for non contributory widows pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18204/03]
121 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she proposes to ease the means testing in the case of non-contributory old age pensioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18205/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together.
The old age non-contributory pension and the widower's non-contributory pension are social assistance schemes which are designed to provide financial support for older people and widowers who do not qualify for one of the contributory pension schemes.
In common with other social assistance schemes, these schemes feature a means test which is intended to ensure that available resources are targeted at those who are most in need. The operation of the means test is kept under review and changes are made as required.
Budget 2003 provided for a €10 per week increase, from €134 to €144, in the rate of old age non-contributory pension and widower's non-contributory pension payable to those aged 66 or over. This was a significant first step towards the achievement of the commitment contained in An Agreed Programme for Government to increase the rate of the basic State pension to €200 by 2007. Recipients of widower's non-contributory pension aged under 66 received an increase of €7 per week thereby increasing the value of the payment in real terms.
123 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she intends to extend maternity benefit payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18207/03]
A range of improvements has been made in the maternity benefit scheme in recent years, including an extension of cover to the self-employed from April 1997 and an increase in the duration of the benefit by four extra weeks from February 2001. The minimum and maximum levels of the benefit have also been increased. Since 1997, the minimum rate of maternity benefit has increased by 38.2%. From February 2001, credited contributions are awarded during periods of additional maternity leave, which was also increased from four to eight weeks at the same time. These credited contributions protect the social insurance entitlements of women who take additional "unpaid" maternity leave.
Many of the above improvements follow on from the recommendations of the PPF working group on the review and improvement of the maternity protection legislation, which was published in January 2001. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is currently progressing the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003 through the Houses of the Oireachtas. This Bill is designed to implement the remaining recommendations of the PPF working group, in so far as they relate to entitlement to maternity leave.
As entitlement to maternity benefit is contingent on the woman qualifying for maternity leave in the first instance, some of the proposals contained in the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill will have implications for the operation of the maternity benefit scheme. I intend to bring forward appropriate proposals in relation to the maternity benefit scheme following the enactment of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill.
124 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to improve payments and back up facilities for widows and widowers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18208/03]
The Government is committed to bringing the maximum rate of the widow's and widower's contributory pension for those over 66 years of age into line with that of the old age contributory pension. A number of special increases have been granted in recent budgets in pursuit of this objective and the maximum rate now stands at €155.80 per week compared with a rate of €157.30 for the old age contributory pension.
Widows and widowers are also benefiting from the changes in the free schemes announced over a number of budgets. Under these arrangements, all persons aged over 70 years of age are now entitled to the full range of schemes regardless of their means or household composition.
In Budget 2000, a new scheme was introduced, the widowed parent grant, to help with the special needs of this particular group in the immediate aftermath of a bereavement. This involves the payment of a special grant of €2,500 to a widow/or widower with dependent children.
The increase in the rates of child benefit are of benefit to widows and widowers with children. Since 1997, the monthly rates of child benefit have been increased dramatically. Since April this year, monthly child benefit payments are €125.60 per month for each of the first and second children and €157.30 per month for the third and subsequent children.
In addition, there are special arrangements in place whereby a person in receipt of a widow or widower's pension or one-parent family payment may also receive half-rate disability benefit or unemployment benefit in addition to their pension. This provision applies where the person satisfies the relevant contribution conditions and dual payment can continue for up to 15 months. Social welfare provision for widows and widowers will be kept under review in a budgetary context.
125 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons who qualified for dental benefit in the past 12 months; the number who so qualified in the previous 12 month period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18209/03]
126 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons who qualified for optical benefit in the past 12 months; the number who so qualified in the previous 12 month period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18210/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together.
