asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of children's allowance claimants registered at the post office, Main Street, Finglas, Dublin.
6.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Children's Allowances.
5.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of children's allowance claimants registered at the sub-post office, West Finglas, Dublin.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
As my Department does not maintain a register of children's allowance claimants on the basis of post office of payment, I regret that I am unable to supply the information sought by the Deputy.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary accept that the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs gave the exact same answer? Surely there is an obligation on his Department to ascertain the circumstances in which these moneys are paid. If he has not got the exact figure, has he an approximate figure?
It would be very difficult. My information is that it would be necessary to examine individually some 400,000 records of claimants in order to establish at which post office the payment was made. I think the Deputy would agree that the work involved would not be justified.
Anything which would eliminate the hardship which these ladies have to endure before they get this money would be justified. The Parliamentary Secretary knows that outside both of these post offices on what is called children's allowance day, there are literally hundreds of ladies queuing up——
The Deputy is making a statement rather than asking a question.
——to get what the Parliamentary Secretary would describe as their correct entitlement. Surely we must be concerned about the manner in which it is paid.
I am concerned about the manner in which it is paid but, as the Deputy is aware, children's allowance does not have to be collected at a particular time or on a particular day.
These people have to collect it.
I would agree that this payment has gone up so substantially since this Government came into office that naturally people would be eager to collect it as quickly as possible.
To pay for food at higher prices.
I can assure the Deputy that every possible facility which can be provided to pay this money will be provided.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary accept that every claimant for children's allowance is required to indicate the post office at which he or she wishes the payment to be made?
I accept that, but I am pointing out the difficulty. If everyone arrives at 10 o'clock in the morning to collect children's allowance, it is not possible to have everybody paid instantaneously. That does not apply only to children's allowance.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not accept conversely that if his Department are aware of the fact that people are entitled to attend simultaneously there is an obligation on his Department and on the Department of Posts and Telegraphs to make arrangements to eliminate the hardship which obtains in these post offices?
What the Deputy describes as hardship is, in fact, some delay in trying to deal with a relatively large number of people who arrive simultaneously for payment. The only way I could see to eliminate that would be to have an individual officer for every individual claimant. Every possible effort is made to ensure that payment is made as speedily and as courteously as possible within the realm of practicality.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary indicate what efforts are made?
I have allowed the Deputy a lot of latitude. I am calling Question No. 7.
So far as I am concerned no effort is made. The same staff are working every day of the week.
The Deputy is making a further statement.
No provision is made. I do not think the Parliamentary Secretary is speaking from his heart. I accept that he is concerned and that he is endeavouring to do something about——
There must be some finality on this matter.
——the hardship involved when people have to wait up to half a day to collect children's allowance.
I do not accept that delays of up to half a day occur.