Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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75. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of research into funeral poverty as announced in budget 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43604/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In Budget 2020, I announced funding to support a research project by the Irish Hospice Foundation which intends to examine funeral poverty in Ireland and the wider economic impact of bereavement.  The amount which I have allocated as a once off contribution to the cost of this research is €60,000 for 2020, and will support the Irish Hospice Foundation in carrying out this independent research.  

This research will examine how bereavement affects people, particularly the economic impact of death.  It will seek to trace the dynamics of bereavement in Ireland, identify immediate and longer-term impacts on families, identify the costs and deficits, and explore ways to mitigate against economic impact.

I am happy to provide support to the Foundation in conducting research in this important area, which will serve to further inform future Government policy in this matter.

Officials in my Department will continue to engage with the Foundation on the methodology and timescale for completion of the research during 2020.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.