Tony Gregory
Ceist:100 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the relevant medical evidence has now been submitted to enable the payment of a supplementary welfare allowance to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The person in question was disallowed payment of disability benefit on 14 September for failure to attend a medical referee examination. He subsequently claimed and was awarded supplementary welfare allowance by the Eastern Health Board, pending resolution of his disability benefit entitlement. The position has now been clarified and payment of disability benefit has been restored with effect from 26 November 1991.
P. J. Sheehan
Ceist:101 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the unnecessary delays appertaining to applicants for unemployment assistance and unemployment benefit in the Castletownbere region of south west Cork, and if he will outline the steps he proposes to take to ensure that prompt communications will exist between the head office of his Department, the control office in Tralee and the employment exchange in Castletownbere, to alleviate the long delays.
I am not aware of any delays to claimants for unemployment assistance or benefit at the employment office in Castletownbere. However, if the Deputy can supply me with any specific cases of delay which he is aware of, I will have them examined and rectified as quickly as possible.
The social welfare services office in Tralee has responsibility for the Castletownbere office. In addition to visits by a representative of the Tralee office communications between the offices are made by phone and post. These arrangements have proved satisfactory to date. Equivalent arrangements are employed nationwide for almost 80 offices.
My Department are extending their computer network to many of their provincial offices. This network helps to ensure that delays are minimised.