asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of long delays in the payment of benefits to social welfare recipients in Dún Laoghaire constituency, Dublin; and if he will expedite payments.
Written Answers. - County Dublin Social Welfare Recipients.
305.
I am aware that some difficulties have been encountered in dealing with benefit claims, particularly claims for disability benefit, due to the change-over from the system of flat-rate contributions paid by means of stamped cards to the system of pay-related contributions. The pay-related contributions can only be collected in conjunction with the PAYE income tax collection system operated by the Revenue Commissioners.
The change-over came into operation on 5 January 1981 and since then in a proportion of cases the claimants are continuing to quote only their old insurance number and as a result difficulty is being experienced in identifying their insurance records under the new RSI numbering system. This has led to delay in the payment of benefit and in consequence there was an unavoidable build-up of arrears of payments.
I have issued directions to my Department to concentrate on removing all obstacles to the prompt payment of benefit. There is a full commitment of all resources to this task and the arrears are being steadily reduced. If the Deputy is aware of any cases of delay in payment of social welfare benefits in his constituency, I will arrange to have the cases investigated and payment of benefit issued as quickly as possible.