Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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1119. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a life pension awarded to coal miners who suffered loss of faculty passes to the spouse after their death as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2597/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Death Benefit Pension/Widow’s Occupational Injury Pension is payable in cases when a person dies as a result of an occupational accident or prescribed occupational disease, or if immediately before death they were in receipt of a Disablement Pension for a loss of faculty of 50% or higher, their widow, widower or surviving civil partner may be entitled to a Death Benefit Pension. A Death Benefit Pension is payable at a higher rate than a standard Widow/er’s/Surviving Civil Partner Contributory Pension.

They would also qualify for a Death Benefit Funeral Grant of €850.00. Fuel Allowance, Living Alone Allowance and Free Schemes are also payable provided the conditions pertaining to the different schemes are satisfied.

I am advised that there is no record of an application having being received from the spouse of the person concerned. I have therefore arranged for an application form for Death Benefits under the Occupational Injuries Scheme to issue to the person's spouse on 28/02/2020. 

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.