asked the Minister for Social Welfare why the mother of a child may not normally sign an application form for a children's allowance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Application Forms.
7.
As pointed out to the Deputy in reply to a previous similar question, the Children's Allowance Acts and the statutory regulations made thereunder lay down that where the father and mother reside together the father is the only person qualified for children's allowances in respect of the children residing with them. Accordingly the application for the allowance must be made by him. He may, however, nominate the mother to receive the children's allowance and, if he does so, the allowance is made payable to the mother.
May I ask the Minister whether any change is contemplated in relation to this discriminatory practice? This is another 18th century practice of Irish Government Departments.
No. No change is contemplated.
Would the Minister not consider it desirable that there should be a change?
Would the Minister not agree that it is absolutely disgraceful that the mother of a child may not apply for children's allowances, that only the husband may apply, as—to use the mythical phrase —the head of the household—this 18th century concept? Surely the mother of a child is entitled to apply for children's allowances? As the Minister is aware, instances can arise where the father of a child refuses to apply and then the State has to step in. In any enlightened community this kind of stupid practice would be changed immediately. It is discrimination against women in society.
I do not agree at all. You cannot have a situation where both might be applying. If the mother has custody of the children and the father is absent then she may apply, if the children are residing with the mother. Only one can apply, not the two. I have not had a single complaint.
Could the Minister not make arrangements whereby one or other may apply? This is an opportunity for the Minister to take the initiative and introduce amending legislation to give the wife some sense of partnership or responsibility in the home. He could do that with a piece of amending legislation.
Without having figures I think I am safe in saying that in most cases the mother is nominated by the father to receive it.
That is all the more reason why this should be introduced. Even the fathers recognise that this is not right.
It shows that the present system is working magnificently.
Question No. 8.
One final——
No. Could we get on with Questions? We have 116 questions.
I would like to get on with Questions if we could modernise our social security system somewhat. I personally have received a number of complaints in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown on this issue. Would the Minister not agree that the mother or the father, one or the other, should be entitled to apply for children's allowance and that this is not asking the State in its magniminity to give a particular allowance to the children? It is a disgraceful, odious practice in society.
There cannot be a debate at this stage.
It is not a debate; it is a shame and a disgrace.
The Deputy may exaggerate and put things in the superlative. It is not a shame and a disgrace. It works well. I do not think the Department of Social Welfare want to be in the position where they will have to go in and decide which one should get the children's allowance.
They would not have to decide.
They might have to.
8.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the purpose of requiring that various social welfare application forms must be verified and witnessed by persons from specific occupational and professional groups.
Certification of claim forms for social welfare benefits is required to establish the identity of the persons concerned and to provide some verification of statements made by them, on the basis of which public moneys will be paid out. There is a wide range of persons whose signatures are accepted for the type of certificate in question.
Could the Minister advise us as to the wide range of persons who apparently possess all authority in this State to verify whether or not people are being honest in filling in forms?
Would the Minister be in a position to state the actual people who are qualified to witness these signatures and whether an employer of a person is entitled to witness such signature? Would the Minister agree that it might be of benefit if an employer was allowed to witness a signature?
Could the Minister say why he could not include tradesmen in this?
Put auctioneers on it. They have some standing in the community.
Of course, they have. That thought had occurred to me.
Trade union officials cannot sign.
It is a good job some of them cannot sign.