asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that John Forde, Quiglough, Monaghan (insured with the A.O.H. Society, No. 18364), has been ill and unfit for work for upwards of three months; that certificates of incapacity for work have been forwarded weekly to the Society; that his arrears card has been stamped and returned four weeks ago, and that he has not yet received any benefit; whether he will state if it is intended to pay benefit to this man, the approximate date on which payment will be made, and the cause of the delay in dealing with the case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Monaghan Benefit Claim.
The claim for benefit in this case was received by the society on the 11th March, 1930. There were 11 contributions to credit for the second half of 1928 and 5 for the first half of 1929 periods, which left claimant 12s. in arrears and not entitled to benefit. He was duly notified of this fact through the society's local representative. On the 4th April a further letter was received by the society from their local representative in which he stated that the member was employed for other periods during the second half of 1928 and the first half of 1929 but his employers failed to stamp cards. The society informed the representative that if the cards were stamped and forwarded the member would come into benefit four weeks from the date of receipt. On the 20th April he submitted a card for the second half of 1928 containing 12 contributions and a card for the first half of 1929 containing 18 contributions and represented to the society that as he believed the member was in a dying condition it would be an extreme hardship to enforce the four weeks' penalty. The member previously had a good record. After fully considering the matter the society decided, as an act of grace, to waive the late surrender of the cards and to admit the claim. A cheque for 95s. 8d. was issued on the 30th April, paying from the 4th March to the 19th April.
Is the Minister aware it is very unusual for a society to pay benefit until some four or five weeks after application is made? Is he aware that very serious hardship has been inflicted on insured persons by insurance societies? I presume the Minister is aware that this man was three days dead before payment came.
In the case under consideration the society actually made a concession to the person in respect of whom the Deputy has put the question. On the general matter, I shall be glad to answer any questions the Deputy may desire to put down.