Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Nov 1991

Vol. 413 No. 7

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Recipients' Representations.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

96 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to complaints from social welfare recipients in the Portlaoise area, alleging unfair practices on the part of social welfare officials visiting the area; if he will set up an investigation into these complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Social Welfare (Mr. Daly)

My Department have recently received representations regarding the operation in Portlaoise of their external control unit which investigates continuing entitlement to social welfare payments. The complaints were of a general nature and have been fully investigated.

Officers of this unit interviewed unemployment payment claimants in Portlaoise from 15 October 1991 to 17 October 1991 inclusive. They attended at Portlaoise branch employment office on Tuesday 15 October 1991 and accepted unemployment dockets from some 400 persons, who prove unemployment there. Each peson was spoken to for the purpose of verifying identity, and ensuring that she/he understood, and complied with, the conditions for receipt of unemployment payments. As the number of persons dealt with was large, no one was spoken to for much longer, in general, than some minutes. Of those spoken to, 71 were requested to attend over the following two days for further interviews regarding their claims. These were cases in which more comprehensive questioning regarding compliance with the conditions for receipt of unemployment payments was required, or where reports of alleged fraudulent claiming had been received. I have no information that my Department's normal standards of courtesy and consideration did not apply in these investigations. If there is specific evidence to the contrary I will have it investigated.