asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of complaints or representations his Department have received in the past year concerning the regulations governing the payment of maternity grants as regards the stipulated period of confinement that is at present required to qualify for a grant.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maternity Grants.
20.
There is no provision in the conditions for maternity grant which stipulates a period of confinement in order to qualify. Maternity grant is payable in respect of a confinement provided the contribution conditions are satisfied on the insurance of either the husband or the wife. If both the husband and wife satisfy the contribution conditions two grants are payable. For the purpose of the grant confinement is defined in the Social Welfare Act, 1952, as labour resulting in the issue of a living child or labour after 28 weeks of pregnancy resulting in the issue of a child whether alive or dead.
Statistics of the numbers of complaints or representations are not kept, but those received in relation to maternity grant are mainly concerned with the contribution conditions.
Would the Minister not think it advisable to have a record of the number of complaints?
It would be impossible with phone calls, persons calling and persons writing. I do not think the Deputy would seriously expect the Department to do that.
I am not asking for details of the complaints. I am asking for the number of complaints. It would help the Minister and his Department to get matters rectified if he had an indication of the number of complaints. The Minister admitted last week in the Social Welfare Bill debate that he was able to effect improvements by reason of complaints of Deputies and others.
Complaints in the Dáil.
Yes, but I daresay that the Minister does not confine it to complaints in the Dáil.
Naturally enough, but they are the most important ones.