asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the excessive delay in deciding on a living-alone allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; if he will grant same without further delay; and if he will give an undertaking that delays such as occurred in this case will be avoided in future.
Written Answers. - Living—Alone Allowance.
114.
The delay in this instance is attributable largely to the fact that there was an exceptionally heavy volume of claims in the area in question in 1980.
The work-load of the local social welfare officer has grown to the extent that it proved necessary recently as an emergency measure, to draft an additional two officers into the area to assist him. I am hopeful that this action will solve the difficulties. The Deputy may be assured that every effort is made to eliminate delays or to reduce them to the minimum.
A supplementary pension book incorporating the "living alone allowance" of £1.65 weekly and a payable order for the arrears due issued to the person in question on 22 January 1981.