Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

163. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will improve the widow's-widower's pension payment in the course of the forthcoming budget as widows and widowers may find themselves disadvantaged when compared with recipients of other payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29178/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As a result of Budget 2016 all Social welfare payments to recipients aged 66 and over were increased by €3 per week. This increase applied to State pensions, but also to Widows/Widowers/Surviving Civil Partners pension recipients aged 66 and over, Carer's Allowance recipients aged 66 and over and Incapacity Supplement recipients aged 66 and over.

A widow/widower/surviving civil partner aged between 60 and 65 years, whose late spouse/civil partner received the Household Benefits package from this Department, may qualify for that package if they otherwise satisfy all other conditions and receive a relevant qualifying payment.

Where the surviving spouse/civil partner was the person in receipt of the allowance(s) they can retain the Household Benefits package provided that the conditions for receipt of the allowance remain satisfied. Where a widow/widower/surviving civil partner is also in receipt of half rate Disability Benefit this will not prevent him/her from qualifying for the Household Benefits Package.

The Fuel Allowance scheme was increased from €20 to €22.50, which is of benefit to many disadvantaged widows/widowers/surviving civil partners of all ages and householders on long-term welfare, and will assist with meeting the costs of their heating needs during the winter season. To receive Fuel Allowance, Widows/Widowers/Surviving Civil Partners pension recipients must also satisfy the other conditions for that payment, i.e., be unable to provide for their heating needs from the resources of their household, live alone or only with one of a list of exempted persons, and satisfy a means test. All recipients of non-contributory payments are accepted as satisfying the means-test.

In Budget 2015 the Government increased the living alone allowance to €9.00 as a further support.

In addition there are arrangements in place to provide financial assistance to people who are unable to meet costs incurred with unexpected expenses. This payment which is means tested is paid through the Department’s supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

The appropriate levels of welfare support will be considered by the Government in the coming days, with due regard to the available resources. The outcome of this process will be announced on Budget Day.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.