asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will enquire into the cause of complaints in the Clara area, Offaly, where social welfare benefits are not paid on each Saturday; and if he will arrange for regular payments of such benefits to be made in the area at shorter intervals than at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Payment of Social Welfare Benefits in Clara (Offaly).
13.
If the Deputy will indicate the social welfare benefit or benefits involved and furnish me with particulars of the nature of the complaints I will have full enquiries made in the matter.
I should, however, say that, if the question refers to the payment of disability benefit, I am satisfied that benefit is being paid regularly and promptly.
There are 13 cases in this area where disability benefit is paid at fortnightly intervals and 2 cases at monthly intervals. This arrangement is of long standing. It may be that in some cases weekly payments would now be more acceptable and if the complaints have been made for this reason it can be arranged to make weekly payments on request from the claimants concerned.