asked the Minister for Social Welfare why his Department did not pay the benefit due to a person (details supplied) on his illness in respect of the weeks ended 10th February 1968 and 17th February 1968; why two letters written to his Department concerning the delay were unacknowledged; and if he will take steps to have the matter fully investigated so as to avoid a repetition.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Payment of Sickness Benefit.
55.
As the Deputy has already been informed, cheques in payment of the disability benefit due for the two weeks in question were issued to the insured person on the 14th and 21st February, respectively. The relevant cashed cheques have been returned by the banks where they were lodged and are now held in my Department.
Is the Minister suggesting that the applicant got them?
As far as we are concerned, yes.
That is a very serious suggestion because this man denies he got them. Will the Minister have the matter investigated?
Certainly.
Can the Minister answer one part of the question? Always, when we are discussing the Minister's Estimate, the Minister denies these charges of delays. Would the Minister tell me now why his Department did not reply to two letters from the applicant and to two telephone communications by me?
That is a separate question.
Will the Minister investigate the matter and punish those who behave like this, leaving workers without their benefit?
In this case——
In this case, will the Minister have a full investigation to find out whether or not some officer in his Department forges cheques?
That is an insinuation——
That is an insinuation that the man, an inspector in CIE, who claims he did not get them is telling lies. He is not a man who would lie lightly and he is prepared to go before any court in the country.
I am not glossing over anything——
Surely the Minister is glossing it over.
——but we have proof the cheques went out.
But were they received by the recipient?
They were paid by the bank.
Did they not go to the Minister's agent in Waterford? Is he prepared to say he got them? The Minister should not be dodging his duty.
I am not dodging anything.
Of course the Minister is dodging. He has not a clue about the system.
An investigation in this case might reveal more than the Deputy would like.