Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022
425. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider a change in policy that would see those who are in receipt of the widow’s allowance also able to gain access to jobseekers' payments; if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in this context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48108/22]
View answerThere are a number of basic principles which underpin the Irish social insurance system, including the general principle of 'one person, one payment', which applies across the social welfare system. Given the contingency-based nature of this system, it can happen that a person may experience more than one contingency at the same time, but generally, as these payments are to help them meet their income needs, he or she can receive only one of those payments. This principle is common to social security systems across the world.
The person concerned is in receipt of Widows Contributory Pension at the maximum personal rate of €213.50 per week, which will increase to €225.50 from next January 2023 as announced in Budget 2023. I have also secured a number of once-off income support measures to assist people with the increased cost of living.
The combined rates of payment if a person was to be paid both a full rate Widow's Contributory Pension and Jobseeker's Benefit (plus allowances), neither of which are subject to a means test, would be significantly higher than those paid to other people supported by my Department. The maximum personal rate of Widow's Contributory Pension already exceeds that of the Jobseeker's Benefit.
The concurrent payment of half-rate Jobseeker’s Benefit in addition to Widows and Widowers Pensions was discontinued as part of Budget 2012, in the context of the Government’s commitments to maintain existing core rates of primary payments for social welfare recipients.
There are no plans to change this underlying principle of entitlement to allow people to claim multiple payments concurrently.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
