asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delays that are taking place in the payment of unemployment benefit claims; and if he will ensure that these cases are processed more quickly as many applicants are suffering undue hardship.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Benefit Claims.
10.
Title to unemployment benefit is a matter for determination by a statutory deciding officer or appeals officer who must be satisfied before benefit is paid that a claimant fulfils the conditions and is free from the disqualifications laid down by law for the receipt of such benefit.
To this end, certain inquiries are necessary in connection with all claims. In the vast bulk of cases decisions are given without delay. In some cases, however, more prolonged inquiries are necessary either by correspondence or by a member of the Department's outdoor staff—perhaps by both—and a certain amount of unavoidable delay may occur. If delay appears likely in deciding the claim to benefit it is the practice to pay unemployment assistance in the interim where there is title to it, as is often the case.
I am not aware that there are long delays in the payment of unemployment benefit claims generally and it is my constant concern to have claims processed as quickly as possible. If the Deputy has information of long delays in particular cases and furnishes the details I shall be glad to have the cases investigated immediately.