Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 July 2025
174. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of extending the period of a social welfare payment following the death of a dependent from 6 to12 weeks as committed in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39926/25]
View answerThe parties to Government have agreed a number of commitments that are to be achieved over the lifetime of the Government, some of which are relevant to my Department.
The Deputy can be assured that I am determined to deliver on these commitments and will take the opportunity afforded at budget time each year to progress them as far as possible. The Deputy will understand that not everything can be delivered all at once but the commitments we made in forming the Government will be delivered over the full term of the Government.
I have already commenced consideration of options for the Social Protection package as part of Budget 2026 including extending the period of payment after death, where on the death of the recipient, qualified adult or child, the benefit in question continues to be paid for a number of weeks.
The proposal in the Programme for Government is to extend the period of payment after death from the current 6 weeks to 12 weeks. While in general, across Social Welfare schemes, payment continues for a period of 6 weeks after death, there are some exceptions.
In fact some Social Welfare Payments are already paid for a period of 12 weeks after the death of the recipient. In the case of Carer’s Allowance, the payment continues for a period of 12 weeks after the death of the person being cared for and in the case of Domiciliary Care Allowance, payment currently continues for a period of 3 months after the death of the recipient.
Like all budget provisions, such a measure is subject to the overall budgetary context and competing priorities, and I will not at this time, so far in advance of the budget, be making any commitments one way or the other.
