The Government has reversed its decision to withdraw social welfare benefits from widows and widowers. Citing "potential hardship" in some cases, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, said she had decided to "fully retrospectively restore" the half-rate disability, maternity and unemployment benefits, which widows, widowers and lone parents were entitled to in addition to their widows' pension.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Social and Family Affairs stated that anybody who has applied for and was refused the extra half-payment since January 19th would be paid from that date. This will take effect immediately, she added.
In a statement last night, Ms Coughlan announced that a review of the discontinuance of the half-rate payment of disability, unemployment and other related benefits for people in receipt of the widows/widowers pensions or one-parent family payments had been completed.
"My review suggested there may be potential hardship in some cases, and consequently I have decided to fully retrospectively restore the arrangements that existed before January 19th."
The news was welcomed by the National Association of Widows in Ireland (NAWI). Its president, Ms Eileen Proctor, said the association was very glad that their efforts have been so successful.
"We weren't going to give up our fight against this totally unjustified cut which victimised widows. The issue obviously caught the imagination of the general public and we had terrific support from so many people."
She said that the cut was only a matter of €5 million and was "not worth the hardship" it caused. "I think the minister realised how outraged everybody was with this savage cut," said Ms Proctor.
Yesterday members of the NAWI took to the streets outside the Dáil and threatened to take legal action against the Government if the withdrawal of their welfare entitlements was not reversed. About 2,000 working widows and lone parents are affected, despite the fact that they must still make full PRSI contributions. Fine Gael TD Mr Michael Ring last night welcomed the restoration of the half-rate payment.
He said that a "u-turn" on the issue was "overdue".
"It is disgraceful that the widows and other affected groups have had to endure three agonising months of worry, but I am delighted that the Minister has reversed her decision at last.
"This was an outrageous attack by the Government on a very vulnerable group and it will never be forgotten. Perhaps now that the Minister has located her sense of justice she could consider reviewing the hardship caused by the other 15 of her savage cuts."
Labour's social welfare spokesman, Mr Willie Penrose, said the announcement, while very welcome, raises many questions about Minister Coughlan's judgment.
"It is about time that Minister Coughlan has completed this review. However, it is clear that the savage 16 social welfare cutbacks have wreaked devastating consequences for the more vulnerable in our society, which does not stop with widows and widowers.