asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in paying pay-related benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
13.
(Mayo West): The person concerned was paid disability benefit from 7 September 1981, fourth day of incapacity, to 3 October 1981. Pay-related benefit could not be paid at the time with the disability benefit payment as details of his earnings in 1979-80, the relevant tax year, were not available to my Department. The necessary information was subsequently received and a cheque for the amount of £38.04 being pay-related benefit due from 17 September 1981, 13th day of incapacity to 3 October 1981, was issued on 8 January 1982. The claimant has been informed that if he did not receive this cheque, the issue of a duplicate cheque will be considered on hearing from him.
14.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he will consider launching an advertising campaign through the press, radio and television with a view to making people aware of their entitlements to social welfare payments.
(Mayo West): Information on the rights of beneficiaries under the various schemes administered by my Department is provided by way of advertising, leaflets and booklets, talks and lectures by officers of the Department at courses and seminars and through information centres where people can learn of their rights and seek assistance in applying for them. I should mention that the various voluntary agencies also play a very valuable role in this regard which is much appreciated. Because of the variety of schemes administered such a range of methods of providing information is necessary and is aimed at securing the greatest possible coverage at reasonable cost. Advertising in the national and provincial papers and on radio and television is undertaken when this is considered to be appropriate. Extensive advertising is undertaken when new services are introduced or existing services improved.
Having regard to the multiplicity of social welfare services a large-scale advertising campaign through the press, radio and television setting out the eligibility conditions for each service would be extremely costly and would be of doubtful value in improving take-up services unless it were to be repeated at frequent intervals.
I accept fully that the public must be given all possible assistance in ascertaining their entitlements to social welfare benefits and it is my intention to use all the means at my disposal to continue to improve the system of providing information on the services and to make use of the advertising media where this is seen to be appropriate.