Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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903. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress in the determination of an application for a widowed or surviving civil partner grant in the case of a person (details supplied); if the application has successfully concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30878/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned was awarded widowed parent grant on 15 March 2018 and a payment of €6,000 was lodged to his nominated account in a financial institution. The person concerned is currently in receipt of one-parent family payment.

Neither the person concerned, nor their late spouse, have sufficient social insurance contributions paid in Ireland to qualify the person concerned for a standard Irish widower’s contributory pension. As the person concerned and their late spouse worked outside Ireland entitlement to a widower’s contributory under EU regulations is currently under consideration. My Department has contacted the relevant pension authority in Germany to request the social insurance records of the person concerned and their late spouse.

On receipt, entitlement of person concerned to widower’s contributory will be examined under EU Regulations and the person will be notified of the outcome without delay.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.