asked the Minister for Social Welfare why most new claims for unemployment benefit and sickness benefit are referred for special investigation on the grounds of insurability; and whether he is aware that, pending the result of such investigation, which invariably takes several weeks, grave hardship and inconvenience are caused to the claimants, particularly those seeking sickness benefit, and, if so, if he will ensure that, in future, all investigations are carried through expeditiously and decisions arrived at with the minimum of delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment and Sickness Benefits.
It is not the case that most new claims to benefit are referred for special investigation on the question of insurability. This course is adopted only where there is reason to believe that stamps have been affixed to insurance cards for weeks in which there was no insurable employment. The validity of suspect stamps must be established before they can be utilised for benefit purposes. In this respect, I may say that there has been a growing tendency, particularly in rural areas, to affix stamps irregularly for the purpose of obtaining benefits under the Social Welfare Acts and my Department has been compelled to exercise extra vigilance to curb this form of abuse. I can assure the Deputy, however, that every effort is made to avoid delay in the investigation and determination of claims to benefit.