asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she is aware of the inconvenience being caused by officers of her Department to old age pensioners who are in receipt of British contributory pensions here; and if she will take steps to ensure that a more humane approach is adopted in carrying out investigations necessitated by increases in these pensions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Contributory Pension Payments.
1.
The need for courtesy and tact in dealing with claimants and beneficiaries is emphasised in the instruction and training of officers of my Department and I have no reason to believe that this approach is not being observed. If, however, the Deputy can give me details of any particular case where inconvenience has been caused to a pensioner I will look into the matter.
Is the Minister aware that when the British contributory pensions are increased those people here who are in receipt of a British pension but who are not getting the full amount and who, consequently, are in receipt of and old age pension here but which is reduced on foot of an increase in the British pension, are visited by an officer of the Department for the purpose of an investigation and that since some weeks or even months may elapse before the situation is rectified, considerable inconvenience is caused to those concerned? This is something that should be corrected and there should be a better approach on the part of the Department to the manner in which these pensioners are treated.
I understand that the Deputy's area has a higher than average incidence of recipients of British pensions. In the past these people could find themselves less well off financially because of changes in the British pension but there is an agreement which ensures that a person in receipt of an old age pension will not suffer any reduction that would be greater than the value of the increase. On the occasion of an increase in the British pension investigations are necessary and this procedure may cause undue hardship. However, I will investigate the question of the speed with which these matters are being dealt with a view to ascertaining if any inconvenience can be lessened.
Would the Minister endeavour to ensure that some notification is sent to those old age pensioners informing them that they are likely to be visited by an official of the Department? These old people are under the impression that they are being harassed and, consequently, something should be done to alleviate the situation.
We appreciate that many pensioners are very sensitive about their financial affairs and resent questioning in that respect but if the Deputy knows of cases in which improvements could be made in the area of investigations, I shall have any such matter looked into on receiving details from him.
Are the officers who perform this duty given any training in social work before being sent out on such missions?
As I said in my reply, the need for courtesy and tact in these cases is emphasised in the instruction and training of officers of the Department.