Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will introduce budgetary measures to improve the level of payments to widows with dependent children or those who do not qualify for free schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31254/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Widows and widowers can qualify for one of a number of different schemes depending on their particular circumstances. The contributory widow's or widower's pension is available to those who satisfy the necessary PRSI contribution conditions, either on their own record or that of the deceased spouse. Those qualifying for this benefit are not subject to any means test.

Those without the necessary PRSI contributions can, if they have qualifying children, receive the one-parent family payment. This is a means tested payment but it does feature a reasonable earnings disregard which is designed to assist with the extra costs those with children face in trying to access training or employment. Up to €146.50 of earnings per week is completely disregarded, while earnings in excess of that up to €293 per week, are assessed at 50%.

Widows and widowers with dependent children can benefit from the widowed parent grant introduced in 2000 for additional assistance following a bereavement. The grant is currently valued at €2,700 and is paid in addition to the usual after death payments. Increases in the rates of child benefit are also of benefit to widows and widowers with children. Since 1997, the monthly rates of child benefit have been increased significantly. The current rates of child benefit are €141.60 per month for each of the first and second children and €177.30 per month for the third and subsequent children.

Increases in payment supports for widows and widowers have more than covered increases in living costs in recent years. I am continuing to look for opportunities to improve their position and, in this regard, the various provisions for widows and widowers under the social welfare code are being examined in the context of the forthcoming budget and broader social policy reforms.