Brendan Howlin
Ceist:21 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has recently considered decentralising the disability benefit payment and authorisation sections in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.
Under the latest phase of the Government's programme of decentralisation, approximately 200 staff from my Department will be relocated to Longford. This is planned for late 1993.
The area selected for relocation to Longford is the disability benefits branch which is responsible for the authorisation and payment of sickness benefit claims.