Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people who availed of the bereavement grant; the number who availed of widowed parent grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43386/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Bereavement Grant is a once off payment designed to assist families in dealing with funeral expenses on the death of an insured person. The recent Budget saw an increase in the payment to EUR 850, with effect from 6 December 2006. It is paid by cheque to the spouse, partner, next of kin or personal representative of the deceased or to the person responsible for the payment of the funeral bill. The scheme covers virtually all insured people, including the self-employed and people covered by the modified rate of social insurance, for example, public servants.

The number of people who availed of bereavement grant in the full year 2005 was 22,302 and in this year to end November was 21,794. The widowed parent grant is designed to assist with the income support needs of widows and widowers with dependent children in the immediate aftermath of a bereavement. It is payable to widows and widowers with dependent children who qualify for a Widow/er's Contributory Pension or a One Parent Family Payment or a Bereavement Grant payable on the death of their spouse. A qualified child for the purpose of the Grant is a child under 18 years or a child between the ages of 18 and 22 years who is in full time education. The rate of the widowed parent grant is EUR 2,700, increasing to EUR 4,000 with effect from 6 December 2006.

The number of people who availed of widowed parent grant in the full year 2005 was 1,131 and this year to end November was 1,126.