Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2016
322. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of deserted wives benefit eligible for receipt of payment in the past five years to date; the extent to which their entitlement has changed in the period in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36300/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeserted Wife's Benefit is a payment made to a woman deserted by her husband. The Deserted Wife's Benefit scheme was closed off to new applications with effect from 2 January 1997, when One-Parent Family Payment was introduced. Entitlement to payment is based on social insurance contributions paid by the wife or her husband. A person who qualified for Deserted Wife's Benefit before 2 Jan 1997 and continues to meet the qualifying criteria may remain on the payment. The qualifying criteria have not changed since the scheme closed. There is no earnings limit operational for persons in receipt of Deserted Wife's Benefit where the claim was made on or before 30 August 1992. For persons whose Deserted Wife's Benefit claims were made on or after 31 August 1992 an earnings limit of €20,000 applies. A person might cease to have an entitlement to Deserted Wife's Benefit for a variety of reasons including: transfer to another Social Welfare payment (State Pension Contributory, or Widow's Contributory), re-marriage/civil partnership, co–habitation, resumed living with her husband, deceased, or in certain cases if means exceed the limit.
The number of recipients of Deserted Wife's Benefit for each of the past five years from 2011 to date is as follows:
|
2011 |
8,071 |
|
2012 |
7,753 |
|
2013 |
7,457 |
|
2014 |
7,281 |
|
2015 |
6,867 |
|
2016 |
6.740 |
