asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a number of people in receipt of unemployment benefit in the Trim area of County Meath were left without money for two weeks after Christmas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath Social Welfare Payments.
19.
Payment of unemployment benefit to persons who reside over six miles from a local office is made on receipt of declarations of unemployment made by recipients and certified by the Garda. A number of these forms failed to reach the local office in time for payment in respect of weeks ending 31st December, 1975, and 7th January, 1976, and payment for these weeks were included with payments for the following week.
I very much regret the fact that such delay has occurred and action has been taken to obviate a recurrence.
It seems odd it should happen two weeks running. Was the Minister able to find out the reason for the delay, particularly in the case of those coming from Enfield?
Yes. There were Summerhill, Enfield, Longwood, Agher— if I am pronouncing it properly—Rathcore, Rathmolyon and the Hill of Doone. There were a number of claimants in this area who called at the local office to inquire about payments. When they called at the local Garda station they found it was closed. Others stated the gardaí told them to leave the forms and they would be posted to the local office. It seems this delay occurred because the barracks was closed and the claims were not handed in. The matter is being taken up with the Garda.
I understand this occasionally happens when there is a bank holiday or a church holiday in the middle of the week. Will the Minister ensure it will not happen again?
Yes. I will follow up every case. I know the hardship it must have been for these people to be without money over that particular period.
It was a great hardship on quite a number of people.
The matter is being discussed.