Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am familiar with this case. It is a case that arose last year. I spoke to the parent involved. I have sympathy for this particular instance where people do not get the payment and it is cut off straight away. It is fair to say a collection agent is only there to collect the payment for the actual recipient and they are not the intended person to get it. I absolutely understand the case where a mother was looking after a child who passes away. It does not happen in many cases. It is narrow enough where it happens. It is about getting the payment for the few weeks afterwards in the same way as a payment for a spouse or partner, whereby someone continues to get the payment where their spouse has predeceased them.

We need to look at this in the round throughout the social welfare system. We need to look at how we make the system more humane for people who suffer bereavement and make sure people know what they are entitled to. I am happy to ask the officials to examine this matter and complete a report on it. I will ask them to complete a report by June of next year. Is Deputy Ó Laoghaire happy to accept my word that we will do a report? We need to look at it. If Deputy Ó Laoghaire does not mind not putting it in the legislation, I commit, and it is on the record, that we will have a report by June 2024.