I wish to discuss the rule that excludes widows and widowers from receiving illness benefit solely because they are in receipt of a widower's pension, notwithstanding the fact that they have returned to work and are paying all of their PRSI contributions. The Minister of State will be aware that illness benefit is a contribution-based process. If somebody has returned to work and has made their PRSI payments, and then through unfortunate circumstances has to leave work because of an illness, I do not see any reason they should not be entitled to an illness benefit. There is nothing like a cold, hard case to drive home a point so let me underline a case in my constituency. There was a young woman who at the age of 30 lost her husband through tragic circumstances. After a period of having to deal with everything that is involved in those circumstances and having to tend to her children's needs, she went back to work. Unfortunately, after a number of months the same woman fell ill herself and had to take time off work to take care of herself. Because she was in receipt of a widow's pension, she was not entitled to illness benefit. I find this grossly unfair and it is a gap that we need to resolve. If it is not traumatic enough that a family has to go through the death of a partner and in the event that the surviving partner falls ill , which while it might be uncommon, is not rare, that partner is now putting their own family circumstances into fierce financial hardship. This woman in particular, having done everything right and despite all the odds, goes back to work tries to provide for her family is left in circumstances where she is clearly falling below the poverty line, yet is not entitled to anything. Surely in a system that is fair and proportionate we can revise that rule and ensure that when this happens we as a Government are there for people in these circumstances.

Sentiment score: -0.11

I thank the Minister of State. In fact, I welcome the widening of the eligibility in regard to who does and does not qualify for a widow's pension. That, in itself, was an anomaly that was highlighted through a campaign in the press due to that widower. Let us reflect for a moment on the fact that, as the Minister of State said, if somebody is in receipt of a reduced widow's pension, they may also be entitled to a reduced illness benefit so that the combined sum reaches the maximum rate of illness benefit they would otherwise be entitled to. That, in itself, is not sufficient. It does not address the fact that due to tragic circumstances, be it illness or whatever, a household often goes from earning two incomes to earning only one. Very often in those circumstances, even though the widow's or widower's pension is welcome, it does not sufficiently fill the gap that was not there when there were two household incomes. We need to fill that gap because if we are giving half of one and half of the other, we are still back to square one. I see no reason why, if somebody is back at work making their PRSI contributions, they are not entitled to the illness benefit. I am delighted to hear that the Minister, Deputy Calleary, will look into this and review it. I firmly hope he will address and resolve it.

Sentiment score: 0.21