Vol. 397 No. 7
50 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the delays being experienced by Irish recipients of British social security payments owing to the privatisation of the British postal system and the resultant rerouting of the payments through mainland European routes; if he will raise the matter with his British counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware that there have been some complaints in a number of cases about delays in the payment of British social security payments to recipients living in Ireland which may have arisen from certain changes made by the Department of Social Security in the United Kingdom to their postal arrangements.
While I am naturally concerned about any difficulties that may be experienced by British pensioners who are residing here because of the alleged delays, the Deputy must realise that this matter is largely outside my control. My Department have, however, already taken up this matter with the British Department, who have indicated that they will review the effect of their postal arrangements on their pensioners in this country. My Department will keep in touch with the situation.
