asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that over-long delays occur in the deciding of pension appeals; and how long it takes to issue a pension book to an applicant after an appeal has been decided in his favour.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Issue of Pension Books.
18.
I would not agree that over-long delays occur in deciding pension appeals generally. In certain cases, for example where information required by the appeals officer involves further investigation or enquiries which cannot be cleared quickly, the interval between receipt of, and decision on, the appeal is longer than normal.
A pension book is normally issued to the pensioner in a matter of days where the appeal is decided in his favour.
Would the Minister convey to his colleague that in many cases there is a delay of a month before the pension book is issued?
I would, but I would request on behalf of the Minister that notice of such delays should be sent to him much sooner than a month if it is possible for Deputies to do so.
19.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the serious delays in the issue of old age and widows' and orphans' pension books and the equally long delays in the reissuing of pension order books submitted to Department headquarters for adjustment, such as change of address, change of rate, etc.; and, if so, what arrangements he proposes to make to remedy the position.
Having regard to the large number of pension books handled by my Department it is inevitable that there should be occasional delays in individual cases. The percentage is small however and where attention is drawn to any omission, as normally happens, the matter is rectified immediately. Every effort is made to keep delays to a minimum.