asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware that unreasonably long delays are occurring in the payment of sickness benefit by his Department; and, if so, whether he will have the matter rectified at an early date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sickness Benefit.
I am not aware that the position is as stated by the Deputy. If he will let me have particulars of any case in which delay appears to have occurred I shall have the matter examined.
I should like to point out to the Parliamentary Secretary that I have received several complaints of delays recently from my constituency. Perhaps he would think the matter over again.
I think the Minister has indicated to the House the difficulties arising out of the change under the new Act. Everything is being done to speed up matters. Each week we deal with 35,000 people claiming benefit and there are between 27,000 and 28,000 people being paid benefit. Deputies will appreciate the difficulties with which the Department was faced for a time after the changeover.
Surely no greater numbers are now drawing benefit than have been drawing benefit for a number of years? May I say that I have been pestered with complaints from workers in Cork in regard to delays in the payment of both sickness benefit and unemployed benefit? Toquote one case, a man who had handed in seven certificates had returned to work without getting any benefit at all. I would suggest to the Minister that it is about time he considered giving an official in the different areas executive authority to deal with local claims and so avoid the necessity of having to send for these claims to Dublin. The sooner that is done the better it will be for everybody.