Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
878. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of recipients of the Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension or the Bereaved Partner’s (Non-Contributory) Pension who are also in receipt of a carer’s payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12794/26]
View answerThe Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension (BCP) is a weekly payment to the partner of a deceased person. To qualify for BCP, either a person or their deceased partner must have enough PRSI contributions. The pension is payable regardless of other income.
A Bereaved Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension (BNCP) is a means-tested payment paid to a surviving partner without dependent children. It is paid to a bereaved partner who does not qualify for the PRSI-based Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension.
Carer's Allowance is a weekly social welfare payment to people who care for someone because of their age, disability, or illness (including mental illness). Carer's Benefit is paid to people who leave work or reduce their hours to care for a person in need of full-time care. Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability.
Table 1. Recipients of Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension and Caregiving Schemes, January 2026.
|
Scheme |
Count of recipients |
|
Bereaved Partner's (Contributory) Pension Only |
125,279 |
|
BCP and Carer's Allowance |
2,369 |
|
BCP and Carer's Benefit |
2 |
|
BCP and Domiciliary Care Allowance |
246 |
|
Bereaved Partner's (Contributory) Pension - Total |
127,896 |
Table 2. Recipients of Bereaved Partner’s (Non-Contributory) Pension and Caregiving Schemes, January 2026.
|
Scheme |
Count of recipients |
|
Bereaved Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension Only |
833 |
|
BCNP and Carer's Allowance |
123 |
|
BCNP and Carer's Benefit |
0 |
|
Bereaved Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension - Total |
956
|
