Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Ritual is important in people's lives. The abolition of the bereavement grant is a demonstration of a process. Last year, we saw changes made in the allocation for communions. We have legislation discriminating against racism and sexism but this grant is class-ism. Working class communities and people are entitled to celebrate important days, good news days and days to mourn and to bury their dead with dignity and compassion as well.

Will the Minister to explain how she can justify discontinuing these payments? What is the economic case for it? To me it is a mean, ruthless and vicious targeting of people at their most vulnerable time and at some of the darkest periods in their lives like when they are burying a loved one. The Minister would do the House a great service today if, rather than voting down those of us who want to maintain the bereavement grant, she acknowledged that she has made a mistake. The Minister's colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, often admits when he makes mistakes and when he attacked disadvantaged schools he rowed back. The Minister should do the same and withdraw the section.

I believe it to be an absolutely disgraceful attack and cut that is beneath contempt.

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