asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that an applicant (details supplied) for superannuation from Donegal County Council has been deprived of payment in respect of the period from 13th March to 10th May, 1975, because of delay by his Department in supplying the record of his contributions; and if the deficiency will be made good.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Donegal Superannuation Applicant.
30.
My Department have no function in the determination of the superannuation due by Donegal County Council to the person mentioned by the Deputy in his question and was not responsible for any delay that may have arisen in awarding superannuation. On inquiry from the county council it is understood that all information relevant to the award of superannuation was available to it without reference to this Department and that the award was in fact made, under the regulations governing the scheme, with effect from the date on which an application was made to the council.
First, I should like to point out that my question was originally tabled to the Minister for Local Government. From the correspondence I have it appears the application was made on 13th March and an award was made on 10th May. The period between those two dates is not accounted for in the payment because the applicant was unable to produce records of his contribution as the book was lodged with the Department and it took a long time to get back to him.
I do not think that is the case. My reply indicated this was mainly a matter for the local authority. So far as the Department came into the matter, they appear to have acted quite promptly. According to the information available to me, a letter was received by the Department from the insured person on 19th March, 1975. He requested particulars of his insurance record and they were supplied to him on 20th March, 1975. I must add that if all Departments acted with that promptitude we would all be quite happy.
I agree with the Minister if that is so. My reason for tabling the question to the Minister for Local Government was to see if he would ensure that the person was not victimised because of the delay that occurred. It does not seem right because the responsibility did not rest with the applicant.
I have no reason to think he was victimised. The Deputy will be glad to know that since 31st March, 1975 the insured person has been in receipt of a retirement pension under the Social Welfare Acts at the maximum rate.
Of course, he qualified for both pensions.
Perhaps.
He has lost a lot of money.