So far this year, 14,000 bereavement grants of £500 (€635) each have been awarded by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. The Minister of the Department, Mr Ahern, has urged those entitled to the bereavement grant to avail of recent improvements in the scheme.

Last year the grant was increased from £100 to £500 and the qualifying conditions for its receipt were significantly relaxed so that as many people as possible could qualify for the scheme. The grant is a payment based on PRSI contributions, which is payable on the death of an insured person, the spouse of an insured person, the widow or widower of an insured person, a child of an insured person under 18, or under 22 if in full-time education, a contributory pensioner or their spouse, and anyone in receipt of pensions or social welfare allowances.

There is a 12-month limit for claiming the grant, which means that almost everyone in the State who was bereaved in the last year is entitled to claim £500 from the Department. The scheme is administered by the Social Welfare services offices in both Longford and Sligo. According to the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, the relevant offices will be happy to advise as to qualification.