andMr. Ryan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the estimated annual cost of paying full unemployment and sickness benefit to pensioner widows in employment who are paying full social welfare contributions; if he is unwilling to pay full benefits to such widows, if he will halve their contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Widows' Social Welfare Benefits.
54.
Mrs. Joan Burke
The estimated annual cost of paying unemployment and disability benefit at the normal rates to widows in receipt of contributory or non-contributory pensions would be of the order of £25,000 and £100,000 respectively.
The reason why widow pensioners in insurable employment are not paid unemployment or disability benefit at the normal rates was fully explained in my reply to a question on the matter by Deputy Ryan on 23rd May, 1967.