asked the Minister for Social Welfare why it is necessary for parents claiming children's allowances to obtain the signature of a public representative such as a Member of the Oireachtas on their application form.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Claims for Children's Allowances.
50.
As the Deputy will, no doubt, have observed from his study of the form of application for children's allowance, a member of the Oireachtas is only one of a number of persons of some standing in the community whose signature is accepted on the certificate of attestation which forms part of the claim form, the others being a peace commissioner, a barrister, a solicitor, a minister of religion, a registered medical practitioner, a certified midwife, a professor or lecturer at a university, a primary, a secondary or vocational teacher, a bank manager, a member of the Garda Síochána, the clerk or any member of a local authority and a home assistance officer. The certificate of one or other of the persons listed, who must be personally acquainted with the claimant, is the only evidence sought as to the claimant's identity and I am sure the Deputy will agree that in view of the expenditure of public money involved the requirement cannot be considered unreasonable.