Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 7

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

28 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to improve ways of targeting information to people who will shortly be entitled to old age pensions or retirement pensions in order to reduce the level of late claims. [9432/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

I am concerned to ensure that social welfare beneficiaries receive their full entitlements. To that end, ways of ensuring full and timely take-up of payments to which people are legally entitled are continually under examination in my Department.

All persons receiving social welfare benefits on the basis of PRSI contributions are notified of their potential entitlement to retirement or old age (contributory) pension some three months before the pension becomes due at age 65 or 66 years, respectively. Adult dependants aged 66 or over of recipients of old age (non-contributory) pensions were notified of their potential entitlement to an old age pension in their own right in August 1995. It is intended to notify persons in this category on a more regular basis and in advance of their reaching age 66 in future. These initiatives help to avoid late claims from people in these categories.

The experience to date shows that this direct targeting of the people concerned is very effective. My Department is examining ways of improving this type of targeting and of extending it to categories which are not benefiting either directly or indirectly under the social welfare system. The main effort is through the dissemination of information made available generally and extensively by the Department by way of booklets, leaflets, talks at pre-retirement courses, interviews on radio and occasionally on TV.

Information leaflets and booklets relating to each scheme are available from any of the network of 58 social welfare local offices around the country. Local offices are in a position to provide detailed information on the full range of services available.

The national social services board and the independent voluntary sector also provide a very valuable service to the public in this regard. They complement and enhance the information services provided at local and community level. The transfer last year of responsibility for the National Social Services Board to the Department of Social Welfare recognises this and was part of an ongoing process aimed at improving information services to the public.