The Deputy has clarified that he requires details of the number of widow(er)s under 66 years and the cost of paying the over 66 rate to them.
At present there are 120,620 people in receipt of a widow's or a widower's pension, of whom 36,492 are aged under 66 years. Of those under 66 years, 32,990 are in receipt of a widow(er)s contributory pension and 3,502 are in receipt a non-contributory widow(er)s pension or a one-parent family payment. The estimated cost of paying all widow(er)s at the higher rate is €50.6 million.
The current rates structure, comprising an under 66 and over 66 rate, was first introduced in 1998 when the process of aligning payments of those over 66 years of age with the rate of old age contributory pension began. These arrangements reflect the fact that age 66 is the standard qualifying age for pension purposes under the social welfare system and, in keeping with the Government's commitment to older people, increased payments are generally made to those over 66.
I am fully aware that younger widows are more likely to have family costs and it was for this reason that the Government introduced the widowed parent grant which now amounts to €2,700. The purpose of this grant is to help with the special needs of widows and widowers with dependent children in the immediate aftermath of a bereavement.
This special grant is paid in addition to the various other schemes within the social welfare system to assist widows and widowers in the aftermath of their bereavement. These include the payment of six weeks social welfare following the death of certain social welfare recipients or their spouse. The six weeks after death payment has now been extended to all recipients of social welfare payments; the bereavement grant of €635 which is payable to insured people and their families; and the funeral grant of €635.00 which is payable under the occupational injuries benefit scheme.
The provisions for widows and widowers under the social welfare code will be kept under review and further improvements will be made in line with the availability of resources and priorities generally.
