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

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

The Irish Hospice Foundation, IHF, secured a grant of €60,000 for research in budget 2020 from the then Minister for Social Protection. The purpose of this research was to carry out an exploratory investigation into the economics of bereavement in Ireland, a topic that had not yet been studied in this country and represented a knowledge gap. As my Department provides a range of supports for people following bereavement, this research appeared to be a logical step in supporting people in their time of grief.

While initially the research was to be conducted in one year, the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in it being delayed and conducted over two years. The IHF delivered its summary report, The Real Financial Impact of Bereavement, late last year.

The findings of the report are that the costs of bereavement are complex and interlinked. They include increased spending due to funeral costs, a loss of income and earnings, financial impacts on a person’s health or well-being and an impact on a person’s employment.

While most of the recommendations are wider than the remit of my Department, I was pleased that resources from my Department enabled the carrying out of this important research given that getting an insight, for the first time in Ireland, into the economics of bereavement is very valuable. The report demonstrates that the financial impacts of bereavement are much broader than the immediate costs associated with a funeral. The stress of dealing with a bereavement extends beyond the management of finances. This research will be of benefit to all relevant stakeholders in dealing with issues that relate to the costs associated with bereavement.

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