asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the reason why national health insurance sickness and disability benefit payments were not made to claimants in Wexford town and county for the week ended 4th April, and if he will give a guarantee that such payments will be made regularly in future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sickness and Disability Payments.
The Wexford Employment Exchange, from which disability benefit cheques are now distributed by the local agent for Wexford, was closed to the public, in accordance with normal practice, at Easter on Saturday, 4th April. Due to local misunderstanding there was a failure in the arrangements for dealing with the disability benefit cheques which reached the exchange on that day and in consequence some payments were not distributed until the office opened again on the following Tuesday.
Steps have been taken to ensure there will be no repetition of such delay when public holidays interfere with normal arrangements.
I am not aware of any delay at Easter in the other areas in the county.