Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 510: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if, in order to qualify for a bereavement grant, the deceased party must have made a certain number of contributions in their lifetime; if she will review this policy in view the implications it has for those who spend their life in care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17872/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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A bereavement grant is a payment designed to assist families in dealing with death and funeral expenses. It is a once-off payment, based on PRSI contributions, made from the Social Insurance Fund.

To qualify for a bereavement grant, the person on whose insurance record the claim is based must have 156 PRSI contributions paid. Alternatively, if an insured person has between 26 and 155 PRSI contributions paid, they must also have 39 PRSI contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax year OR a yearly average of 39 PRSI contributions paid or credited over the 3 or 5 tax years before the relevant tax year . The relevant tax year is the last complete tax year prior to the year in which the bereavement occurs. Full details of the grant and how to qualify are available on the Department's website.

The person on whose insurance record the claim may be based can be the deceased, or their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant.

All adults are treated equally under the bereavement grant scheme and must satisfy the same PRSI conditions.

Likewise, where the deceased was a qualified child, entitlement to a bereavement grant may be decided based on the insurance record of a parent /guardian. A qualified child is where the deceased was under 18 years of age or over 18 and under 22 and in receipt of disability allowance.

Means tested exceptional needs payments may be available under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme to those who require financial assistance with funeral expenses. Payment is dependent on individual circumstances and is not based on contributions paid. This scheme is administered by the community welfare service.