asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a cheque for £315 which was issued in late 1976 to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 but cashed by another party, will be reissued to him; and if he will make a statement regarding the report on the investigation carried out by his Department and the fraud squad at that time.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Re-issue of Cheque.
638.
The person concerned was issued a cheque for the sum of £315 on 3 December 1976 in respect of an award of disablement benefit for life from 15 August 1976. He had been informed by letter on 8 November 1976 of the award of benefit and how payment would be made to him. He reported to the Department on 6 November 1978 that he had not received the cheque.
There was no record of any query having been made by him in connection with the issue of the cheque at an oral hearing of an appeal which was held on 3 October 1978 in connection with a separate claim for disablement benefit in respect of an occupational disease. There was no oral hearing of an appeal in connection with his disability benefit in 1977 as indicated by the Deputy in the information supplied by him with the question.
Investigations made regarding the complaint of non-receipt of the cheque revealed that it appeared to have been correctly delivered and was lodged to a bank account corresponding to the address concerned.
In the circumstances and having regard to the fact that the claimant had been informed beforehand that the cheque would be issued to him, it was not considered that a replacement cheque should be issued.