asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an application for widow's pension made by a person (name supplied) was received; when it was sent to Limerick for investigation ; and when a report was received in his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widow's Pension Applicant.
23.
A claim for widow's non-contributory pension under the Social Welfare Acts was received from the widow referred to in the Question on the 12th April, 1967. The papers were forwarded to the local officer of my Department for investigation on 19th April, 1967 and his report was received on 1st June, 1967.
Does the Minister think that a delay from 19th April to 1st June is justified in the case of this application for a widow's pension? This unfortunate creature in the meantime has to throw herself on home assistance because of the delinquency and inefficiency of the Department in Limerick. Will the Minister take steps to rectify it?
I regret that the delay in question would seem to be outside the normal time taken on investigations——
It is a common occurrence in Limerick.
——because of the fact that the officer in question was especially busy in relation to the 5/-increase.
Which one?
The last one. I am not prepared to accept that undue hardship was caused in the meantime in the particular case.
An unfortunate person has to take home assistance, and if the Minister does not call that hardship, I do not know what hardship means.