asked the Minister for Social Welfare the average length of time it takes to make payments of social welfare benefit in cases where a social welfare cheque has been mislaid in the post or fraudulently cashed; and if this period can be shortened.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit Payments.
19.
It is assumed that the Deputy's question refers to disability benefit cheques.
Records of cases in which cheques have been mislaid in the post or fraudulently cashed, are not maintained in a form which would enable the average time sought by the Deputy to be calculated without a disproportionate expenditure of official time.
I may say, however, that every effort is made to have complaints of the non-receipt of benefit cheques investigated as expeditiously as possible and replacement cheques issued, where justified, with the minimum delay.
The Parliamentary Secretary may recall that last week I had a question for him with regard to a somewhat similar situation. If he has not specific statistics, has he even approximate figures that would indicate the length of time involved?
No, but I understand that if it is ascertained a cheque has not arrived and if an undertaking in writing is given by the person who should have received the cheque a duplicate is issued.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state approximately what length of time elapses from the time the Department are notified?
I do not know precisely but I do not think any great length of time elapses.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state what form of notification is accepted by the Department that the cheque is lost, mislaid or has been fraudulently cashed? Will a verbal communication across the counter be sufficient?
I imagine it would be.
The Parliamentary Secretary may take it that a considerable time elapses.
I have not precise details of how long it takes, but in view of the interest expressed by Deputy Colley not only this week but last week I shall be glad to inquire further into the matter and I shall then communicate with the Deputy.
I would appreciate that.