asked the Minister for Social Welfare the changes, if any, his Department intend implementing on the methods of payment of disability benefit in the light of the Taoiseach's statement to Dáil Éireann on 23 October, 1985.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Payment of Disability Benefit.
42.
In his statement on employment and tax reform to the House on 23 October last the Taoiseach stated that the Government are considering proposals for the overhaul of the disability benefit scheme. At the same time the Taoiseach also stated that the National Economic and Social Council would be asked for their views. This has been done and the views of the council are awaited. As soon as the council have responded my Department will be considering the matter further.
When the Taoiseach made his statement on 23 October in relation to short term disability benefit, one assumed he was referring to those who were less than ten weeks on benefit. The Taoiseach may not have been aware that most people on disability benefit are on long term benefit. Of the total of 77,000 people on disability benefit, 63,000 have been claiming for over ten weeks and only 14,000 for less than ten weeks. Does the Minister not accept that it would be very difficult to work out this method because we would be totally reliant on employers, since the provision of medical referees would not be possible under the type of scheme suggested by the Taoiseach?
I will not pre-empt the discussions which have already commenced with NESC. The officials of the Department met members of NESC on 20 November and when we get the response of the council we will be considering the matter further.
That concludes Question Time. Questions put down today for oral answer which have not been reached will go for written answer unless re-balloting is requested.