asked the Minister for Social Welfare the current procedural arrangements within his Department for the processing of claims arising from the introduction of the deserted wives allowance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Deserted Wives Allowance.
70.
The procedure for dealing with claims for deserted wives allowance is similar to that which applies to other schemes of assistance, benefits and pensions administered by my Department.
The manner of making a claim and the necessity for the claimant to submit certificates and other evidence in support of the claim is governed by regulations, and a standard claim form is provided.
The decision in each claim is made by a deciding officer appointed under the Social Welfare Acts for the purpose and before he can make his decision he must have before him satisfactory evidence relating to such matters as the existence of desertion, age, means and number of dependants. The assembling of the necessary evidence may, however, entail, particularly in relation to the question of means, a visit to the claimant by the Department's local officer.