andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether the shortened form of birth certificate is sufficient for applicants to furnish in connection with claims for social welfare payments; and, if not, if he will state the particular classes of payments for which the full certificate is required.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Payments: Form of Birth Certificate.
24.
The short birth certificate is accepted for the purpose of claims to unemployment and disability benefit, treatment benefit, widow's contributory pension, old age contributory pension, unemployment assistance and children's allowances and also in the case of applications for an insurance card, a "wet-time" insurance card and a qualification certificate under the Unemployment Assistance Acts. The full certificate is required in the case of claims for old age and blind non-contributory pension, widow's non-contributory pension, orphans' pensions and also in respect of children shown as dependants on a widow's pension claim.
Would the Minister not agree it is highly desirable at this stage to accept the short certificate from the categories he has referred to who must now produce the long certificate, particularly in view of the fact that his colleague, the Minister for Health, saw fit to come before the House with a measure aimed at introducing the short certificate?
I agree it is desirable, but the longer certificate has some advantages in connection with these particular schemes. I am looking into the question to see if it would be feasible to dispense with the requirement for the full certificate.