asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in payment of maternity allowance to a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that her 1974-75 card was surrendered to his Department on 13th February, 1976.
Written Answers. - Maternity Allowance.
45.
The person referred to by the Deputy claimed maternity allowance in respect of an expected confinement on 3rd May, 1976. The earliest date from which the allowance was payable was 29th March, 1976, the commencement of the sixth week before the end of the expected week of confinement. The first payment of two weeks was issued to her on 6th April, 1976. There was a short delay in authorising payment due to the late surrender of her insurance card for the 1974-75 contribution year which governed the claim in question.