asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ensure that steps are taken to supply more information to applicants of their rights under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supplementary Allowance Scheme.
27.
As I stated in reply to a similar question to-day, supplies of an information leaflet giving details about the supplementary welfare allowances scheme have been sent to nearly a thousand health centres throughout the country. This leaflet is also available at all information offices of my Department and at the community information centres registered with the National Social Service Council.
I have also arranged to have a large-sized advertisement inserted in the Sunday newspapers shortly. This advertisement in additon to giving information about the scheme will advise people of their rights and tell them how to go about making a claim.
Would the advertisement state that people are entitled to appeal against a decision?
It will be a very full advertisement. A group representing the unemployed generally came to see me recently about this matter and suggested that I do this. I was glad to be able to accede to their request. It will be a very satisfactory advertisement giving all the necessary information and it will be very prominently displayed. I would not necessarily think that that would be the end of the matter; we will probably have to do more.
Could the Minister make available to most people the set of guidelines which he gave me in confidence? Having received these guidelines in confidence it is difficult for me to make the information available.
The Deputy may make it available for his own purposes, but not publicly.
Can the Minister make it available to me?
Would the Minister make this information available to the other Deputies in the House?
Deputy Reynolds has just asked me for it. He is usually slightly ahead of his Coalition colleagues.
A great relationship seems to have developed between the Minister and Deputy Reynolds over the last few days, whatever is going on.
28.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is satisfied that the supplementary welfare allowance scheme is being operated in a uniform way throughout the country.
I am reasonably satisfied that the supplementary welfare allowance scheme is being operated in a uniform way throughout the country. To ensure that this is so, the scheme, which is under my general direction and control, is being monitored by my Department.
Is there any intention to give briefings to the officers who are implementing this scheme, about the provisions of the new scheme?
Prior to the introduction of the scheme a three days' seminar for the superintending community welfare officers is held. This situation can be kept under review. The operation of the scheme is still tentative. I am still not fully satisfied that it is operating as efficiently and as satisfactorily as it should.
I am reluctant to express too many ideas on this matter, but is the Minister aware that there have been a number of complaints about the method of approach of certain officers in different parts of the country towards this scheme? Would the Minister accept that it would be a good idea if all the officers rather than just the supervisory officers were given a course in the various aspects of the new scheme?
I will consider that. They are all fairly experienced officers. As the Deputy knows to a large extent the scheme is similar to the one which they operated before. Perhaps there is need for further instruction and further briefing.
Is the Minister aware of complaints, unhappiness and unevenness in the approach in different parts of the country?
I am so aware. This is something I discuss very regularly with my officers.
Question No. 29.
The unhappiness is persisting—the Minister realises that?