Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 16 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 2

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

90 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare the changes, if any, he proposes to introduce to amend the current system whereby a person who acts responsibly and honestly loses social welfare benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18546/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

Social welfare entitlements are available to all citizens who satisfy the relevant conditions attached to those entitlements. In the case of social insurance benefits and pensions, certain minimum PRSI contribution conditions must be met in addition to the other conditions for receipt of a payment. Entitlement to a social assistance payment is subject to a means test which requires the disclosure of all income, including, where necessary, the income of household members.

The determination of entitlement to social welfare payments is made by deciding officers of my Department in accordance with the legislative provisions currently in force. That decision process operates on the basis of an underlying presumption of honesty on the part of the applicant, that is, a presumption that the information given on foot of a social welfare claim is correct at the time it is given. In the course of determining entitlement, the information furnished will be subject to checking where necessary.

If the circumstances of the applicant, or of a family member having a bearing on the claim, subsequently change to the extent that the information given in the first instance is no longer correct, there is an onus on the applicant to inform my Department accordingly. Failure to do so can lead to payment being suspended and the possibility of prosecution proceedings in the courts.

Consequently, a person who acts honestly and responsibility at all times in their dealings with my Department should not find himself or herself in the position of suffering a reduction or loss of his or her legally determined social welfare entitlements. On the other hand, a person who has not acted honestly or responsibly by, for example, not disclosing their full circumstances in connection with a claim and who wishes to regularise his or her position can expect, at least, to have their entitlement to a payment reviewed.

If the Deputy is concerned about the manner in which a particular case was dealt with, I will arrange to have the matter investigated if he will furnish me with the relevant details.