asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for disability benefit cheques to be delivered by agents or forwarded by registered post in view of the frequent delays in the present system.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disability Benefit Payments.
26.
Cheques in payment of disability benefit are delivered to insured persons by local agents of the Department or forwarded by ordinary post. The forwarding of cheques by registered post, as suggested by the Deputy, instead of by ordinary post could be slower. If the Deputy will let me have particulars of any specific cases of delay which may have come to his notice I will have them investigated.
Could the Minister say whether any cases of delay have come to his notice?
Very, very occasionally.
We get them every week.
Is the Minister serious in that reply?
Yes.
Is the Minister aware that, in fact, delays do occur, certainly so far as I know?
If the Deputy will give me particulars of any such cases I will have them investigated.
We have to give them to the Minister's Department every day of the week.
Is the Minister aware that, if a cheque goes astray, the innocent party for whom the cheque was originally intended has to wait about six months while the matter is investigated exhaustively?
It would not take anything like that. Three months.
Six may be an exaggeration, but it is three months anyway. I will show the Minister a letter.
It has to be checked in the GPO before they can even find out whether or not it was cashed and three months is a long time if you are hungry.
It is not six months.
Is the Minister satisfied with the present situation in which delays do occur?
As I say, there are occasional delays which are, I think, unavoidable. It is regrettable that there should be any but it is impossible to devise a foolproof system.
Is the Minister aware that the rather meagre amounts sent to these people are of extreme importance to them and delay is a very serious matter for them? Does the Minister appreciate that situation?
I do. I appreciate that prompt and regular receipt of these remittances is important.
Is the Minister aware that since the centralisation of all payments in Dublin delays have been caused? When these cases were investigated locally and people were paid locally there was no delay. Now these unfortunate people are deprived of home assistance during these undue delays of three, five and six months.
In general, I think there is an improvement in the situation.
If the Minister knew anything at all about it he would know the reverse is the case.
Mr. O'Leary
Has the Minister ever considered it worthwhile to survey the situation to see if accusations of general delay are borne out?
The whole question of the local agency system is being considered again.
With a view to decentralisation, I hope.
When will a decision be reached?
I do not know. Consideration has only started.
How long does the Minister think the exercise will take?
I do not know. It only started within the past couple of weeks.
Surely the Minister has some idea of how long it will take.
I have not.
We cannot discuss this matter all evening.
It is an important question and nothing is being done.