asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of parliamentary questions for oral and written answer submitted to his Department in (a) 1987, (b) 1988 and (c) to date in 1989; if he will comment on the fact that for a variety of reasons Deputies of all parties are being obliged to place parliamentary questions in order to receive replies at an early date; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this could be obviated to a great extent were an early process available in other sections of his Department; and if he will indicate his proposals for improvement in this regard.
Written Answers. - Parliamentary Questions Statistics.
94.
The numbers of parliamentary questions tabled to my Department in 1987, 1988 and 1989 are shown below. For comparison purposes I have also included the numbers for 1985 and 1986.
|
Oral |
Written |
Total |
|
|
1985 |
4,130* |
||
|
1986 |
175 |
2,105 |
2,280 |
|
1987 |
188 |
565 |
753 |
|
1988 |
196 |
650 |
846 |
|
1989 |
175 |
571 |
746 |
*Total oral plus written questions.
It can be seen that there is a significant reduction in the numbers of parliamentary questions over the period 1985 to 1989. This reduction is due largely to the introduction in the general benefits section of a direct telephone inquiry service for Deputies which provides quick responses to queries on matters related to sickness and related benefits, unemployment assistance and benefit and pensions. Some 8,000 to 10,000 inquiries are dealt with annually by this service. In addition, a number of questions concerning individual cases are withdrawn each year before being tabled either because the matter has already been resolved or a satisfactory reply has issued.
The value of the telephone inquiry service has been the subject of favourable comment by Deputies. It provides a means by which Deputies can receive prompt answers to their inquiries and representations without the need to place parliamentary questions. It is planned to provide a similar service at the pensions services office in Sligo in 1990.