asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the increasing delays in the payment of social welfare benefits in Cork city; if he will state the reason for such delays; and what action is proposed to have the matter rectified.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork City Social Welfare Benefits.
4.
I presume that the Deputy is referring to alleged delays in paying disability benefit.
Disability benefit becomes payable for the first time on any claim only on submission of the second medical certificate, usually a week after the claim is made. Payment of benefit then commences and continues on receipt of subsequent medical certificates, normally at weekly intervals. In some cases there may be no title to benefit and in others it may take some weeks to establish title to benefit. In the vast majority of cases, however, payment is made promptly on receipt of the second and subsequent medical certificates. If the Deputy will furnish me with particulars of any specific case or cases he may have in mind I will have inquiries made.
May I take it that there will be a guarantee that payments out of contributory funds will be paid forthwith, that where there is no need for investigation there will be no delays?
There are qualifications which must be investigated.
Surely that can be done by reference to a file?
It can in most cases but not in all cases.
It appears that in most cases you do not do it.
The Deputy is bound to be aware that difficulties arise over the lack of proper insurance records or the non-payment of the contributions.
That is a very poor excuse.
I am not making excuses at all but it is inevitable that that should happen.
That is little consolation to the couple awaiting benefit.