David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I also made this argument on Second Stage. The bereavement grant was only a small assistance to bereaved families towards the cost of funerals. It is for workers who have a solid contributions record which goes back to a point that many of us made when we read through this Bill, that most of these cuts affect people who pay into the social insurance fund, through their pay related social insurance, PRSI, and more recently, the universal social charge. They then expect to have some sort of social insurance protection at the other end. This is another example of people with solid contribution records being subject to this cut.

The Irish Association of Funeral Directors is on record as saying that the average cost of a funeral across the State is €4,000, possibly higher in Dublin and some other areas. The grant was a small contribution from the State to help families and this cut will have an impact on many families for that reason. Given that people pay into and provide for this grant this cut should not be implemented.