Madam, – We would like to put on record our concern regarding the cut of €8 in the widows’ pension in the recent Budget.
Widows under 66 years of age are facing this loss in their pension, as well as a deduction in children’s allowance, while there are increases in the cost of electricity, gas, home insurance, maintenance in the home and private health insurance. All this at a time when each widow is trying very hard to cope with the loss of her husband.
In many cases, widows with young children cannot seek employment outside the home because they cannot afford creche fees.
Would the Minister for Finance, before he leaves office, please do this one good thing for widows: give them back their €8 and their dignity. – Yours, etc,