asked the Minister for Social Welfare the arrangements which have already been made to modernise the payment of disability benefit; and how these will facilitate decentralisation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disability Benefit.
16.
Arrangements have been made to replace by more modern and more powerful computers the existing computer system by means of which disability benefits are paid. This will be done within the next three months. A feature of the new computer system is that it will be possible to locate visual display terminals in offices outside the Department's headquarters in Dublin. This will open up the possibility of decentralising the payment of disability benefits and it is my intention that arrangements to this effect will be pursued with all possible speed.
Can the Minister confirm that these arrangements were under way well in advance of the change of Government?
(Interruptions.)
I could ask the effects of the CPSSA strike within the Department of Social Welfare.
The former Minister said the problem was solved.
The new computer system came into operation in January 1981. Visual display units are connected to Oisín House and Gandon House. The existing computer system was installed in 1973 and needs to be replaced by a more modern and powerful system.
Is this a question?
(Interruptions.)
It is a confession.
Who are you trying to impress?
Will the Deputy put it in the form of a question? No statements are allowed.
When the system is fully operational it will be possible to request information and provide——
A question, please.
Will it be possible to provide information through these units in different parts of the country?
It is a matter of history that the computers were first introduced in the Department in 1973 for the payment of disability and related benefits. I confirm that I have been informed that a plan exists for modernisation of that computer but that at this stage it is essentially a plan. A great deal of further action will be necessary before it can be implemented. One of the problems in its implementation will be the quality and standard of the telephone system. Without an adequate development of that it will be impossible to extend the services as we would wish. Before the use of computers can be extended there would have to be telephone lines available to connect the visual display terminals. At present arrangements for decentralisation have commenced, in two centres. The programme for Government 1981 to 1986 commits us to decentralisation and to establishing offices not only in those two centres but in Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Castlebar, Cavan, Tullamore and Kilkenny. Obviously this will be a priority.
What new measures, If any, have been taken by the Minister of State to modernise these payments?
In the matter of a week and a half or so that I have been there, we have familiarised the Department with our programme. Our programme has underlined the commitment to extend and continue the decentralisation programme. Considering the progress in the past four years, that will do for the present.
No new measures.
Ceist 19.
Is this side of the House to be ignored?
Deputy McMahon.
Will the Minister of State give an assurance to the House that the social welfare cheques which are six, eight and ten weeks overdue for some time will be paid, and that in future social welfare cheques will be paid in the week in which they are due?
That is outside the range of this question. It will be a commitment of those of us who have been appointed recently to ensure that delays which existed up to now, arising out of the dispute which has been going on for four or five months and a more recent dispute, will be dealt with efficiently and will be ended.