asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state in relation to all anonymous letters received in his Department from County Galway (a) the number of such letters received in 1975, (b) the number of recipients whose payments ceased following the allegations made in such letters, and (c) the number of cases where full payment was restored following investigation of anonymous allegations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Anonymous Letters.
5.
Records are not kept which would enable the information sought by the Deputy at (a) of his question to be given. As regards (b), it is not the practice to suspend payment of benefit or assistance because of allegations contained in anonymous letters and consequently the circumstances described at (c) do not arise.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether his Department have ceased payment of social welfare entitlement following the receipt of anonymous letters in any case?
No. The receipt of anonymous letters would not call for any action by the Department but it could happen that other circumstances would lead to an investigation at the same time as an anonymous letter was received but I can assure the Deputy that anonymous letters are not acted on.
Hear, hear.