asked the Minister for Social Welfare if having regard to the worry and annoyance caused to old age pensioners by the requirements for certification of their claims for free electricity by witnesses of certain qualifications, he will waive the obligation to have such applications so certified.
Ceisteanna—Questions (Resumed). - Free Electricity Applications.
97.
Applications for free electricity allowances are accepted on completion of application forms certified by one or other of the persons listed on the form, who must be personally acquainted with the applicants. This certificate is the only evidence sought as to the identity of the applicant and the accuracy of his statements. In view of the expenditure of public money involved, I am sure the Deputy will agree that some form of verification of applications is necessary. The only acceptable alternative arrangements to those at present in force would involve investigation of each application. This would undoubtedly be a far greater source of worry and annoyance to applicants than the relatively undemanding nature of existing requirements which, in the circumstances, I do not propose to alter.
The position is that the Department of Social Welfare think only of rural Ireland. Is the Minister aware there are many old age pensioners in Dublin whose domestic circumstances are unknown to the classes of persons described on the form— doctors, peace commissioners and others? Why is it that members of local authorities, Deputies and Senators and lawyers, all of whom may with the other classes of persons certify for childrens allowances, are not permitted to certify for these free electricity allowances? Why have a smaller number for them?
Any person certifying the accuracy of an official document is supposed to acquaint himself with the facts before doing so. Peace Commissioners are sufficiently plentiful to have one in close proximity to most persons in the city. I understand they did have applications signed by certain prominent people, such as members of the Oireachtas, and they accepted them. I know they are not specified on the form.
Whenever this form is being reprinted, would the Minister consider having these other classes included?
I would.
98.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of pensioners who have applied under the scheme of assistance for ESB charges; and the number of applications which have been granted.
Somewhat more than 18,100 applications have so far been received in my Department for the free electricity allowance. The number of these applications which have been granted to date is 16,400.