asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that some persons entitled to receive children's allowances have not received certain of the allowances by reason of their failure to make application within the prescribed time, and, if so, whether he will have such of these cases as are brought to his notice examined and have legislation introduced to enable such persons to receive payment of the allowances which they would have received if they had made application within the prescribed time.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Children's Allowances.
If I were to act as the Deputy suggests it would mean that a person who fulfilled the conditions laid down in the Children's Allowances Acts and in the regulations made thereunder, but who failed to make any claim for an allowance for a considerable period after he had first become qualified to do so, would be paid the allowance from the date on which he fulfilled the conditions. I think it will be agreed that it is not an unreasonable condition for the receipt of an allowance that a claim for the allowance should first be made and that some time limit should be imposed. My Department gives every help to enable claims to be made at the earliest date.
I should like to add, however, that the existing provisions in regard to time limits are now under review, but I am not in a position at this stage to state what legislative changes, if any, will be considered desirable.