Tony Gregory
Ceist:53 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the position of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 in relation to an unemployment assistance claim; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.
Following investigation, a deciding officer assessed the means of the person concerned at £36.30 per week from 17 March 1990. The means are derived from the value of board and lodgings in his parents' home. There is no record of an appeal having been received from the person concerned. This assessment leaves him entitled to payment at the weekly rate of £10.70.
Arrears due, less an amount to be refunded to the Eastern Health Board in respect of supplementary welfare allowance paid to the person concerned, will be issued to him as soon as possible.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:54 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason he can justify disallowing child benefit for the first months of a child's life where a parent through oversight or ignorance has not made an application on time; and if he would devise a system of registration at birth which would ensure that parents would not be arbitrarily ruled out in such cases; and, in particular, if he will consider the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 5.
In general, a person becomes entitled to child benefit in respect of a qualified child from the month following the child's birth. Where a claim is not made within three months of the child's birth, regulations provide that the benefit can only be awarded from the month after the date of receipt of the claim. This is to ensure that claims are submitted promptly. However, where there are special circumstances for the delay in submitting a claim, consideration is given to awarding the benefit from the earlier date. No explanation has been received for the delay from the person concerned. The administration of the system for the registration of births is a matter for the registrar-general and the question of the introduction of a system on the lines mentioned would depend on the development of computerised systems in the general register office which operates under the Department of Health. This is currently under consideration.