asked the Minister for Social Welfare why children's allowance due since June last has not been paid to a person in County Offaly (name supplied) in respect of her son who is an apprentice.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Children's Allowances.
67.
The delay in payment of children's allowance to the person concerned in respect of her son was due to the fact that she had received payment for another child at a rate in excess of the rate to which she was entitled. The matter has now been adjusted and the necessary allowance book has been issued.
68.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a children's allowance book will be issued to a person (name supplied) in County Meath who applied two months ago and has received no communication since; and the reason for the delay in dealing with the case.
A children's allowance book was issued to the person concerned on 5th December, 1974.
The delay in dealing with the claim for children's allowance was due to the fact that a certificate of apprenticeship was received in the Department on 29th October, 1974, without the necessary claim form and could not readily be associated with the claimant's file.
69.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a children's allowance book (details supplied) sent to his Department for amendment in July, 1974, has not yet been re-issued.
The children's allowance book, which had been sent in to the Department by the person concerned and re-issued to him in July, 1974, was returned by the Post Office on the ground that he was not known at the address given. The book was re-issued on 19th November, 1974, when his correct address had been ascertained.
I do not think I have been informed in writing about this yet. When a decision is taken I often find that it is a month or three weeks after the person himself is notified that Deputies are notified. Could we have an improvement in this situation which would obviate the necessity to put down parliamentary questions?
I am aware that the Deputy wrote regarding this matter. In fact, in the Deputy's representations of the 4th November, 1974, he quoted the wrong address of the claimant.
There were two addresses.
With regard to the first part of the Deputy's supplementary question, I am anxious that representations made by Deputies on behalf of the general public be replied to and matters finalised as soon as possible.
Deputies
Hear, hear.