asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the hardship occasioned to many unemployment assistance recipients in County Donegal as a result of the frequent late arrival of paying orders; and if he will take action to ensure that all paying orders are delivered not later than Saturday each week.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Unemployment Assistance.
17.
The arrangements in operation at the local offices concerned are designed to ensure that paying orders are normally delivered to unemployment assistance recipients not later than Saturday of each week. However, I am aware that in some recent instances local postal arrangements have given rise to delays in some areas. My Department are taking the matter up with the postal authorities in these areas with a view to improvement.
Do I gather from the Parliamentary Secretary that he is already aware of such happenings as those on which I have sought to elicit information by this question?
Actually I became aware on receipt of the Deputy's question and as a result of inquiries made in order to give a reply to the Deputy.
Since my information has enabled the Parliamentary Secretary to investigate this, particularly in my own county, would he have a look at the inadequacy of the postal service there which has given rise to the late arrivals complained of? I have no doubt that is where the fault is.
Put down a question to the appropriate Minister.
(Interruptions.)
Order. Question No. 18.