asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the long delay in deciding on the application for disability benefit in the case of Social Welfare No. 1494179 (name and address supplied); and when a decision on the case will be made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disability Benefit Application.
40.
When the claimant in this case applied to my Department in June 1961 for registration as an insured person under the Social Welfare Acts it was stated on his application form that his employment had begun on 1st May, 1960, and that he had not previously been employed. His application was accepted and arrears of employment contributions accordingly were collected. Subsequently in February 1962, he claimed disability benefit and when he had exhausted the 52 weeks benefit to which he was entitled as a person having less than 156 paid contributions to his credit, additional contributions were received in respect of a period of stated employment prior to 1st May, 1960. These contributions brought his total of contributions paid to 156, which is the minimum number required to qualify for continued receipts of benefit up to age 70 years.
In view of the discrepancy between the date of beginning of employment originally given by the claimant and the date on which it is now said to have begun it has been necessary to investigate the matter. So far, the employers, despite repeated requests from my Department have failed to produce records or any other evidence to confirm the date of commencement of employment, or to furnish information regarding the conditions of the stated employment prior to 1st May, 1960. Until the employers produce the necessary information, a decision on the claim to benefit cannot be taken.