Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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265. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of deserted wife's benefit claims still in payment; the extent to which the number of recipients has been reduced other than by the death of the recipient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19516/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deserted Wife’s Benefit (DWB) scheme was introduced in 1973 as a payment to a woman deserted by her spouse. Entitlement to payment is based on social insurance contributions paid by the woman or her spouse who deserted her. The scheme was closed off to new applicants from 2 January 1997 when the One Parent Family Payment was introduced. DWB claimants may transfer to State Pension Contributory at age 66 if they satisfy the contribution conditions of that scheme.

There are currently 6,351 DWB claims in payment. The table below details the number of DWB claims terminated as a result of a review of the claimant’s entitlement to the scheme. The principal reasons for termination of payment relate to co-habitation, exceeding the income threshold of €20,000 per annum for awards made after August 1992 or absence from the State. The data below does not include terminations resulting from the death of a claimant or where a claimant transferred to another scheme.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.