Phil Hogan
Ceist:80 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will make a statement on the operation of the bereavement grant scheme and the number of grants approved for 2001 and 2002. [12176/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 28 April 2004
Ceisteanna (58)
Freagraí scríofa
The bereavement grant scheme was introduced on 2 February 1999 as a replacement for the former death grant scheme. The scheme is designed to alleviate the cost of funeral expenses and post bereavement costs on the death of a person who has paid pay related social insurance or on the death of the spouse, widow or child dependent of such a person. There were 20,778 grants approved in 2001 and 19,553 in 2002.
The scheme is a payment based on PRSI contributions and takes the form of a once off grant of €635, payable to the person normally responsible for the payment of the funeral bill. The scheme covers virtually all insured persons, including the self employed and people covered by the modified rate of social insurance, for example, public servants. The contribution conditions generally ensure that most insured persons would have an eligibility to a grant.
In the case of persons receiving contributory social welfare payments, such as old age or invalidity pensioners and their dependants, an automatic entitlement to the grant exists. In instances where a person has insufficient PRSI contributions to qualify for the grant, they may receive assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. Under this arrangement, a health board may make a payment to help meet once off expenditure, for example, in respect of funeral expenses. With regard to the administration of the scheme, my Department makes every effort to ensure that bereavement grants are paid as quickly as possible after a death has occurred. In most cases, it takes an average of three weeks to fully process an application for the grant.
This grant is only one of a number of measures provided in the context of bereavement. In this regard, other supports are also offered by my Department. Where a person dies while receiving a social welfare payment the payment usually continues to be paid for six weeks after the death. A widowed parent grant is a once off payment of €2,700 designed to assist with the income support needs of a widow or widower with dependent children. This grant is payable in addition to bereavement grant. The Family Support Agency, which operates under the aegis of my Department, administers a scheme of grants to voluntary organisations including bereavement counselling and support services. Last year, €1 million was provided directly to such organisations in the context of bereavement services. My Department meets with the Irish Association of Funeral Directors on an ongoing basis. The range of post bereavement supports, including bereavement grant, are actively publicised by its members.
I am satisfied that a comprehensive range of measures, financial and otherwise, have been put in place which recognise the needs of families at this particularly traumatic time. The bereavement grant scheme is an affirmation of the importance placed by this Government on reducing the hardship and financial worries which bereavement can cause.