Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding widow or widowers pensions (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2104/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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1The measure introduced in Budget 2012 will reduce the period of time from 12 months to 6 months for the backdating of a claim and will not allow for further proportionate backdating.

This measure is timely as I am satisfied that customers are more likely now than before to have had an attachment to the workforce thus ensuring more awareness of their entitlements arising from their social insurance contributions.

This, together with the Department's focus on provision of information to the public means that people are more aware of their entitlements and are more likely to apply on time.

Developments in the administration of pensions in recent years have also facilitated customers in making pension application in a timely manner and in some cases provide for automatic awards where the social insurance conditions are met.

Customers who establish an entitlement to a pension will get their full entitlement from the date of claim and there is provision for the backdating of the claim for a period up to six months before the date of claim.

There will be no provision for further backdating except in circumstances where the failure to claim arises as a result of incorrect information being supplied by the Department or where the delay in making a claim arises as a result of the claimant's incapacity by illness or infirmity.

I want to reassure the Deputy that customers who establish their entitlement to a Widow's pension will get their full entitlement from the date of application and/or backdated by a maximum of six months as appropriate.