State Pension (Non-Contributory)

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 October 2018

Tuesday, 2 October 2018

Ceisteanna (582)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

582. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the decision was made to cease the payment of an additional six weeks of contributory pension payments following the death of a spouse in receipt of an independent contributory pension in circumstances in which the spouse who is deceased was also in receipt of a contributory based pension in his or her own right; the reason that change in the situation is not mirrored in the case of a person in receipt of a non-contributory pension; the rationale behind the decision; the financial saving she plans to make; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39384/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

My Department recently issued a guideline to staff clarifying the existing legislation for continuing to pay specific social welfare payments to either a customer or to a qualified dependant for a period of six weeks after death.

The Department has not made any amendments to legislation or policy in this regard. The guideline was issued because it had come to attention that the existing legislation was being applied in an inconsistent way by different sections and decision-makers.

Continued payment after death continues to apply for a six week period where the surviving spouse/partner/cohabitant was included as a qualified adult on the deceased person's claim or would have been but for the fact that they were in receipt of one of the following payments in their own right:

- State Pension Non-Contributory

- Blind Pension

- Carer’s Benefit or

- Carer’s Allowance (payable for 12 weeks).

I hope this clarifies the matter. If the Deputy has a particular case in mind she should contact my office with the details.