Vol. 569 No. 5
2 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps her Department takes to ensure that those entitled to social welfare payments actually claim their entitlement; the reason some 5% of children are not receiving their children's allowance entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18129/03]
The provision of comprehensive information in a clear and simple manner is an essential element in the effective delivery of social welfare services. The underlying objective of my Department's information policy is to ensure that all citizens are made aware of their entitlements under a broad range of social insurance, social assistance and other supports and are kept informed of changes and improvements as they occur. I am satisfied that the objective is being met.
My Department ensures that citizens are made aware of new schemes and services through advertising, using an appropriate mix of national and provincial media, and information leaflets, fact sheets, posters and direct mail shots. Selective use is made of the freephone telephone service to provide information on new schemes and services and at particular times of the year, for example, at budget time. In addition, my Department's schemes and services are published on RTE's teletext service, AERTEL, and on our website at www.welfare.ie. All new mothers receive a bounty pack, which includes a booklet and a claim form on child benefit, prior to leaving maternity hospitals.
A recent newspaper article dated 18 June, identified a discrepancy of 52,000 between the number of children under 16 years of age who are entitled to child benefit and the number of those in payment by the Department. Figures released by the CSO show that according to the census of 2002, there were 888,310 children under the age of 16 years. The number of children in receipt of child benefit from the Department on 30 April 2002 was 878,870, with another 8,000 claims being processed by my Department. The discrepancy between the two figures is 1,440, which is different to the discrepancy of 52,000 quoted in the newspaper article.
My Department is aware that a small number of families do not claim child benefit. A new initiative will begin this summer where all mothers of new babies will receive an invitation to apply for child benefit. Mothers of new babies who have already submitted a child benefit claim for another child will automatically receive benefit for the new baby. I am satisfied that the new arrangements and the information services provided by my Department will address the issue effectively and help to ensure that all those entitled to receive child benefit payments receive them.
My question was provoked by the article in the news media to which the Minister referred, which indicated that there was a discrepancy of 52,000. Is she satisfied that following the preliminary census results, this figure is incorrect? It is surprising that there is such a disparity between the Minister's figure and that published by a newspaper, which indicated it was extracted from figures to be published the following day by the CSO, showing that there were 946,000 children under the age of 16 years.
The Minister now says there are 878,000. Are we sure we have the right figures? Surely, it is a cause of concern if only 1,000 children are not in receipt of benefit to which they are duly entitled. Has the Department carried out an exploratory or preliminary investigation as to why this occurs? Does the Minister feel that the allocation of a PPS number to every person will facilitate streamlining of the payment of moneys? We all acknowledge the importance of child benefit payments to families, particularly mothers.
It has been put to me, particularly by people who are returning from England, that the application form is extremely awkward. It does not appear to be "consumer friendly" for want of a better term. The point was made to me by a person who is involved in a great deal of correspondence and dealings with the Minister's Department. The questions are somewhat vague and difficult for persons returning from outside the jurisdiction. How much is the State saving by not paying money which belongs rightfully to the 1,500 children in question on a per annum basis and over each child's life? Will the Minister take steps to ascertain why applications for child benefit have not been made in what she says are 1,440 cases, while the newspaper says there are 51,000 cases? The discrepancy in the figures should also be clarified by newspaper in a report which I hope will be given equal prominence to the original article. Is the Minister satisfied that the application forms and the method of application for young parents in particular is consumer friendly and facilitates an application for payment to which they are rightfully entitled?
I am satisfied with the Department's figures. The discrepancy was a result of the methodology applied by the journalist in using the information provided. That was clarified on 20 June in the newspaper in a letter to the editor.
There are a number of people who do not bother making applications for child benefit and it is great that they find themselves in such—
I am sure my constituents and those of Deputy Finian McGrath would take up the money.
With the new system being set up through the "Grow" project it will not be necessary to make an application for the children who are born. I appreciate the Deputy's point with regard to those who are returning to the country and may not be aware of the right to apply for child benefit when permanently resident. It is something we are looking at. We will review the methodology.
We take the opportunity to regularly evaluate the application forms. I set up a new initiative within the Department this year to address the fact that the high level of literacy problems makes some of the Department's forms difficult and complicated. We have a project operating this year to simplify the English used to make the forms more customer friendly. All the forms and information booklets of the Department are being examined in this light. Hopefully, this project will address the Deputy's concerns.
