Kildare Senator: Government must consider ‘Christmas gift of equality for families’

A Kildare-based Senator has said that the government must commit to 'addressing the inequity in current social welfare systems' when it comes to cohabiting couples.

Labour Party Senator Mark Wall made the comments in relation to the High Court judgement in the O’Meara Case in October 2022.

He said: "The courts are clear, the Oireachtas has the power to provide compassion for all families when they need it most."

The Athy politician noted that there are over 75,000 cohabiting families living in Ireland today, but added they have no right to a Widow’s Contributory Pension or the once-off Bereavement Grant in the event of the death of one partner.

He said: "In the run up to Christmas, Labour is reiterating it’s call on government to take a compassionate approach for all families.

"Our social welfare laws simply haven’t kept pace with the way in which people live their lives.

"It’s time to update the law to provide social protection rights for cohabiting couples in the event of a bereavement."

Labour Party Senator Mark Wall. File Picture.

Senator Wall also said that while his party brought forward legislation to amend social welfare payments earlier this year, he claimed that Minister Humphreys 'failed to make progress' for over 75,000 families potentially impacted by the gap in the welfare system, and that she instead opted to delay the Bill, rather than acting to support all families.

He continued: "The Widow’s Contributory Pension is a weekly payment of €208.50-€258.50 depending on the age and contributions of the recipient. 

"The Bereavement Grant is a once off payment of €8,000: this is a small amount of money for the Exchequer to provide to people, yet can go so far for any family who has lost a loved one.

"As we all know, in the weeks and months after we lose a loved one, financial support is vital not only to cover funeral costs, but also for many families to take into account the loss of an income."

Senator Wall further noted that a cohabiting couple can’t claim or transfer unused tax credits between each other, and there can also be an inheritance tax burden when a partner dies.

He elaborated: "For the assessment of eligibility for social welfare payments a cohabiting couple is treated as together for income assessment - the same as married couples, but not if one of them dies.

"It’s nonsensical and unfortunately, many people don’t know that this gap in the welfare system exists until the worst happens; the way people live their lives has changed. 

Study will reveal how accessible Newbridge is for someone with an intellectual disability

Kildare glass maker is part of new campaign to promote craft sector

"It is unconscionable that we are discriminating on this basis when it comes to welfare supports following a bereavement.

He concluded by saying that Labour are calling on the Minister to reconsider her position on their Bill, and to 'prioritise fixing the current gaps in Ireland’s welfare legislation in 2023.'

In related news, Senator Mark Wall recently made headlines when he called the removal of dental services to medical card patients 'a serious worry.'

He also expressed concerns over the government's current state of rules relating to the Fuel Allowance.