Written Answers - Social Welfare Benefits. Tuesday, 11 November 2008

Dáil Eireann Debate Vol. 666 No. 3 Page of 429

  456.  Deputy Bernard Allen      asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs      the reason a retrospective payment has not been made to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [39369/08]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin):    The person concerned was awarded pension on 3 June 2008, backdated to 19 January 2007. She died on 12 July 2008, before the arrears of pension due to her had issued. The department has now established the details of the next of kin in this case and has arranged for the issue of all arrears.

A cheque in the sum of €3,974 will issue to the next of kin in the coming week.

  457.  Deputy Terence Flanagan      asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs      if she will respond to a query (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39465/08]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin):    In common with most other social welfare measures announced in the recent budget increases in pensions will take effect from January 2009.

In framing Budget 2009, the Government has prioritised delivering real increases in social welfare payments to ensure that the most vulnerable groups in our society are protected. Increases of between 3 % and 3.8 % in the basic payment rates have been provided for next year, ahead of the projected rate of inflation for 2009, which is 2.5%.

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Last Updated: 07/10/2010 17:05:10

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