Tony Gregory
Question:13 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare his views on the proposal by the INOU for a charter of rights for welfare claimants. [1000/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare: Charter of Rights.
The focus of the document entitled "Charter of Rights for Welfare Claimants", published by the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, is the treatment recipients of social welfare payments should expect to receive when dealing with my Department. It emphasises the basic rights of an efficient service, courtesy, access to information and a presumption of honesty.
In addition, the document stresses the need to be informed when one's claim is being investigated, the right to be given the name of the person deciding the claim, and allowed the opportunity, if possible, to make a case directly to the deciding officer. If dissatisfied with the deciding officer's decision, the person should be afforded an oral hearing by an independent third party.
Much of what is advocated in the INOU charter is set out in the Programme for Government —A Government of Renewal. For example, the programme lays emphasis on the importance of introducing reform in the delivery of public services with the aim of ensuring value for money, high standards of service, efficiency, courtesy and accountability. Those objectives also figure prominently in the strategic action programmes developed by my Department in the follow-up to the strategic management initiative initiated in all Government Departments and offices last year.
I will be keeping the proposals contained in the INOU document under review in the light of our commitments in the Programme for Government and elsewhere.
As the Minister does not appear to have answered the specific question I tabled, I will put it to him again. Does he intend to consider the request for a charter of rights and publish it, given that the request has been made by a representative organisation which deals with the problems of recipients of social welfare on a daily basis? If such an organisation recognises the priority need for a charter of rights, that recognition must be based on complaints received and difficulties claimants have encountered. In view of the efforts of the INOU in publishing a document, will the Minister reconsider the position and agree to publish a charter to clarify beyond doubt the rights and principles outlined by him and in the charter published by the INOU?
The question specifically asked my views on the proposal by the INOU for a charter of rights for welfare claimants and that is what I have given. People's entitlements to rights should be incorporated in our law and should not depend on a type of voluntary charter. I can send the Deputy a copy of the values which the Department of Social Welfare developed last year following the strategic management initiative initiated by the last Government. It runs to three pages and outlines the values which the Department will peruse, such as recognising the generation of economic progress.It also states that we value the partnership and cohesion of society and place the interest of our customers first; in our dealing with customers and others we will act with integrity, openness and courtesy; we will treat the personal information we hold in respect of our customers with the highest degree of confidentiality; we will be accountable for the funds entrusted to us; we will presume that our customers are open and honest in their dealings with us; we value the commitment and contribution of all who work in our Department; we value the work we do and the skills and capabilities we have developed to do that work effectively in response to changing needs.
Reference is made to high level goals, immediate strategic objectives and so forth. I can circulate that document to the Deputy. Much of it is in line with what is sought by the INOU. I emphasise that the rights of people who obtain their income from the Department of Social Welfare should be enshrined in legislation and should not be dependent on some type of voluntary charter.
I wish to elicit from the Minister whether he intends to agree to the request to publish a charter of rights. It appears that the Minister does not see the need nor does he intend to publish such a charter. Will he give a "yes" or "no" answer in regard to the request?
It would be easy to say I will publish the charter. I have offered to send the Deputy, and other Deputies who want it, a copy of the charter operated by the Department of Social Welfare in relation to guaranteeing and protecting the rights of those who use the services of the Department of Social Welfare. I have had meetings with the INOU and will have further meetings with it. I am sure we will discuss this matter and see how best we can guarantee the rights of people who use the services of the Department. They have a right to dignity and courtesy and an adequate income.
That concludes questions for today.