Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Indeed, the Department makes exceptional needs payments in respect of funeral expenses. There is no better Deputy than Deputy Durkan to understand the constraints and the information that it is necessary to provide in this regard.

For some time I have been concerned about the difference in funeral expenses throughout the country. I remember looking at the matter closely. Deputy Durkan's county of Kildare is on the higher band of payments, which averaged €1,853 the last time I looked at the information. There is an opportunity for the next Government to look at the cost of funerals throughout the country.

I believe people are very vulnerable when they lose a loved one. There are inclined to go to the first funeral undertaker or the undertaker who deals with a given town within a given county. The Deputy outlined to me previously how there was only one undertaker who covered a particular part of Kildare, while another undertaker dealt with a different part. There is not always an opportunity, especially when someone has lost a loved one, to go around and ensure that they are getting the right price. It is very difficult if a person has lost a husband or a child to get those costings.

The answer to the specific question was outlined to Deputy Durkan in a reply to a parliamentary question last October. The reply outlined that the person concerned undertook to provide written confirmation of the loan she received to pay the bill. This document remains outstanding to date, but, on receipt of same, a decision on the application can be made.

If additional information or documentation has been obtained, I ask the Deputy to supply it as soon as possible and I will ensure the local officer reassesses the claim.

I again thank the Deputy for raising, through this case, the cost of funerals. Sometimes people, whether they are in receipt of an exceptional needs payment or are paying expenses out of insurance policies or their own resources, can be exploited during what is a very sensitive time.

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