135.—(1) The contribution conditions for a bereavement grant are that before the relevant date the relevant insured person has qualifying contributions in respect of not less than—

(a) 156 contribution weeks since his or her entry into insurance, or

(b) 26 contribution weeks since his or her entry into insurance, and

(i) has qualifying contributions, voluntary contributions or credited contributions in respect of not less than 39 contribution weeks in the second last complete contribution year before the beginning of the benefit year in which the relevant date occurs, or

(ii) has a yearly average of 39 qualifying contributions, voluntary contributions or credited contributions for the 3 or 5 complete contribution years immediately before the last complete contribution year before the beginning of the benefit year in which the relevant date occurs, or

(iii) has a yearly average of 26 qualifying contributions, voluntary contributions or credited contributions since his or her entry into insurance or the beginning of the contribution year beginning on 6 April 1979 (whichever is the later) and ending at the end of the last complete contribution year before the beginning of the benefit year in which the relevant date occurs, or

(iv) has a yearly average of 26 qualifying contributions, voluntary contributions or credited contributions since his or her entry into insurance or the beginning of the contribution year next following 1 October 1970 (whichever is the later) and ending at the end of the last complete contribution year before the beginning of the benefit year in which the relevant date occurs.

[1999 s19(1)]

(2) Regulations may provide for modifications of the contribution conditions for receipt of bereavement grant.

[1999 s19(1)]

(3) Regulations may provide for modifications of the contribution conditions for bereavement grant in the case of a person who was an insured person on 1 October 1970 and who, during the year after that date, was absent from the State for any period or was credited with contributions in respect of any period of unemployment, incapacity for work or retirement or is or becomes a voluntary contributor paying contributions at the rate specified in section 25(1)(b)(ii).