asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware that there is considerable delay in the payment of sickness benefit under the Social Welfare Act; and, if so, what steps he will take to ensure that claims for such benefit are dealt with as speedily as possible.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Payment of Sickness Benefit.
Mr. O'Higgins
I am not aware that the position is as stated by the Deputy. If he will let me have particulars of any case in which delay appears to have occurred I shall have the matter examined.
Mr. O'Higgins
May I assure the Parliamentary Secretary that the question correctly sets out the present position? There is an appalling delay in dealing with sickness benefit.
There have been several questions in connection with this matter in the past few months. Since the introduction of increases for adult dependents and children on the 7th July, 1952, 32,000 applications for such increases have been dealt with. We are dealing with 40,000 insured persons a week. Nine thousand of these cases are chronic and they have been segregated. Very often the delays are due to the delay infurnishing the medical certificate which is often not furnished in time. We have to wait to see if the case is one that comes under workmen's compensation.
Mr. O'Higgins
I am merely pointing out that in fact there is delay. Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider a provision whereby an employer would pay benefit when sickness occurs and be indemnified subsequently by the Department? It is inexcusable that there should be a delay for two or three weeks in the case of people who are depending on some weekly sum.