Vol. 428 No. 3
12 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will act on the proposal made by an organisation (details supplied) to include a list of essential services, modelled on the already existing list in the phone directory, and including this organisation, in all social welfare books, including pension books; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I would consider it a priority to ensure that all social welfare claimants are aware not only of their entitlements from my Department but also from other organisations who offer advice and support.
As this is the year of the elderly, special consideration is being given to the provision of information to older people. In this context, the various methods of transmitting information to older people are being examined to decide how best to inform them of their entitlements from this Department and from other agencies.
In November last my Department produced an information leaflet for the blind in Braille, while also printing the written version in a manner which facilitates those of low vision. The information is also now available on tape for those visually challenged and unable to read Braille. Older people would represent a significant proportion of those who are blind or visually impaired.
This is but the start of a process of more targeted delivery of information. It is intended that the next production of the guide to the social welfare services will also be produced in Braille and on tape. The information service is also looking at the prospects of the availability of social welfare information on computer disk and the uses to which interactive phones can be put. The intention is that all sectors of Irish society will be aware of their rights and entitlements.
I am constantly amazed at ministerial answers which are peripheral to the question asked. Again I wish to ask whether the Minister will take the initiative to put in place a very simple method to inform not only the elderly — although, obviously, the elderly are of concern — but also other beneficiaries of essential services. Every elderly pensioner has his or her pension book easily accessible, in a handbag or in a pocket. That resource should be used and the information should be provided in the pension book, or the book connected with any other social welfare payment, rather than there being additional leaflets and brochures that could easily get lost. It is important that beneficiaries be able to avail of documentation that they all have and look after. A child benefit book, for example, contains much information which I have never read, and I am sure that not everybody else reads it either. If that information were replaced by a list of telephone numbers and basic information every mother who has one of those books would have that information easily accessible when needed.
I think the Deputy has made her case.
I should like the Minister to take the initiative. He described himself as a person who cares about people. I ask him to reply to the question I asked. Will he use the resource beneficiaries already have in order to provide a cost-effective, immediate and efficient way of getting to people? This proposal comes from the Samaritans.
The question is going on for too long.
Will the Minister reply to my question?
The proposal put forward by the Samaritans will be given consideration. Departmental resources have to be considered in relation to any of those developments. One of the difficulties is the time at which the issue has arisen, in that changes are being made in the system of payment. The Deputy made reference to child benefit books. Payment of child benefit is being changed to direct electronic fund transfer. The most effective method of giving information, which reaches 96 per cent of the population, is the Aertel service. Departmental information is given on the Aertel broadcast. In addition to that, of course, the Department also provides free television licences. I tried to explain the methods being used to convey information but the Deputy did not seem to want to know about other systems. The Department is very anxious to convey as much information as possible. The process is expensive and it does involve manpower. The number of people involved in the delivery of information has been increased. I set up an information section within the Department, which is being expanded as resources allow, and that section is doing an excellent job. There is an inclination to concentrate on the negative aspects but there is much solid, positive work being done, and good, solid information is available not only to Dáil Deputies but also to the general public. One of the difficulties is that, no matter what way the information is communicated, people would rather talk to someone and have their concerns dealt with, and this applies particularly in the case of elderly people.
Far from being negative, I am trying to be helpful. I ask that the Minister treat this proposal seriously and understand the point that already there is a resource that would provide information quickly and easily. Does the Minister recognise that it is one thing for a person under stress, at risk or perhaps even suicidal to have to look up the Aertel broadcast or try to find a brochure on social welfare services and it is another thing for that person to be able to reach into a handbag or up to a shelf, get a pension book and look up a telephone number that is needed, for example, that of the Samaritans?
I think the Deputy has made her point adequately.
The pension book is a familiar document and the Minister needs to be aware of that.
As I said some time ago, the matter will be given consideration.
Did the Minister say earlier that the information provided through the Aertel service is available to 96 per cent of the population?
Yes.
