asked the Minister for Social Welfare why application forms for social assistance for prisoners' wives are very frequently unavailable in Cork employment exchange.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
488.
Application forms for prisoner's wife's allowance are normally available at the employment exchange, Cork. I regret, however, that due to an oversight none of these application forms was in the Cork office for two weeks recently but an adequate supply is now available there. I would like to thank the Deputy for bringing the matter to my attention.
489.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if an old age pensioner is entitled to payment if out of the country for longer than 13 weeks provided it can be shown that they could not return for medical reasons for a period longer than three months.
I assume that the Deputy's question refers to restoration of payment of non-contributory old age pension in cases where the pensioner returns to the State following temporary absence abroad.
The position is that arrears are usually paid in respect of a three month period preceding the date application for restoration of the pension is received but in circumstances where the pensioner is delayed from returning by illness discretionary power exists to enable the period to be increased to a maximum of six months.
490.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason social welfare pensioners cannot draw their allowances at banks.
Regulations made under the Social Welfare Acts provide that pensions shall be paid weekly at post offices by means of books of pension orders. It is considered that this system is the most reliable method of ensuring prompt and regular payment to pensioners, who may arrange for payment at the most convenient of a wide network of local post offices. These offices are available in smaller centres of population and are open to the public for longer hours than banks.