I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 115 together.
The legislative provisions relating to late claims for social welfare benefits are set out in section 205 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993, as amended, and in regulations made under that section. These provisions set out the times within which a person must claim, the disqualifications which apply where a claim is made late, and the circumstances in which the time limits may be extended.
Since coming into office in 1997, I have made a number of improvements to the provisions relating to late social welfare claims.
For instance, prior to 1997 arrears of contributory pension claims were limited to either three months or six months before the date of claim.