asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that there is a delay in getting payments from the British Ministry of Social Security particularly regarding disability benefits when people have to change from his Department to the British Ministry; and if he will set up a system whereby representations can be dealt with quickly in the British Ministry as some people have been waiting for over a month for benefit due to them.
Written Answers. - Disability Benefits.
85.
Special inquiries have been made from the British Department of Health and Social Security and it is understood that the majority of claims which became the liability of that Department from the 1st April, 1973, when the European Community's Social Security Regulations became applicable in this country, have been paid without delay on receipt of the appropriate claim forms and medical certificates. Because of some differences in the qualifying conditions under the sickness benefit schemes of both countries it may have been necessary for the British authorities to make inquiries about certain claims and this may have given rise to delay in some cases. If the Deputy has any particular cases in mind I will be glad to have further inquiries made on receiving the details from him.