Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Jul 1990

Vol. 401 No. 4

Written Answers. - Widows and Widowers Charter.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

140 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider framing a charter for widows/widowers in order that they would be guaranteed easy access to their various rights, many of which are inaccessible to people at their time of bereavement.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

I have always been very conscious of the special difficulties faced by people who are widowed and of the need for support and assistance when a bereavement occurs. In recent years I have made funds available to the National Association of Widows in Ireland who have carried out very worthwhile research in this important area which has helped to identify the particular issues which need to be addressed.

I am also very conscious, as Minister for Social Welfare, of the need, when people are bereaved, for immediate access to information on the various social schemes which can be availed of. The information leaflet on widows' pensions was recently revised with a view to providing a better overall picture of the social welfare aspects of widowhood. The development of a more localised social welfare information service will further improve the accessibility of social welfare services to claimants. Further improvements will be made as resources allow.