Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a funeral expense grant is payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45006/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Bereavement Grant is a social welfare support available to assist families in coping with bereavement and associated expenses. In this regard, the Bereavement Grant is a once off payment designed to assist families in dealing with funeral expenses on the death of an insured person. 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 persons, including the self-employed and people covered by the modified rate of social insurance, for example, public servants. A payment in the amount of €850 was paid to the spouse of the deceased on 23/10/2009. Mr. Brereton also received an Exceptional Needs Payment of €2,000 from the Community Welfare Officer on the 28 of September 2009 in respect of funeral expenses in relation to his late wife who passed away on 22 August 2009.