Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 May 2024
214. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the funeral costs associated with the death of a person (details supplied) will be paid to a local undertaker, as the deceased had no family or next-of-kin. [24509/24]
View answerAccording to the records of the Department, an application for Supplementary Welfare Allowance Assistance Towards Funeral Expenses (SWA 5), and a bill for funeral costs were submitted by a person who noted himself as a friend of the deceased person on the SWA 5 form. An application for this type of assistance must be made by the deceased person’s next of kin or the person who arranged the funeral. It was not possible to consider the claim as the application submitted listed the deceased person as the applicant, and so the claim could not be progressed.
Following your representation, a SWA application pack has been issued to the friend of the deceased person. These forms should be completed by the deceased person’s next of kin or the personal representative who arranged the funeral. When all the necessary documentation has been returned to my Department, the claim can be progressed, and the applicant will be advised of the outcome in writing. If the application is successful the payment can be made directly to the Funeral Director.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
