Vol. 563 No. 6
42 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has carried out research into the number of people who do not claim their legitimate social welfare entitlements; the main reasons for it; and her views on the payment of arrears to them when they discover and apply for their payments. [8420/03]
My Department delivers a wide range of statutory and non-statutory schemes and services. Due to the nature of many of these schemes it is difficult to predict the expected levels of take-up. In some cases research undertaken in the past indicated that lack of knowledge of specific entitlements may be a factor affecting the level of take-up.
The provision of comprehensive information in a clear and simple manner is an essential element in the effective delivery of my Department's schemes and services. The underlying objective of our information policy is to ensure that all citizens are made aware of their entitlements under the broad range of social insurance, social assistance and other supports and are kept informed of changes and improvements as they occur.
That objective is carried out through a comprehensive range of information leaflets and booklets covering each social welfare payment or scheme and are widely available. These measures include: information provision through my Department's website www.welfare.ie; direct mailshots to households outlining my Department's schemes and responsibilities; advertising of new schemes and improvements to existing schemes and services; and participation at public events, such as conferences and seminars, to promote social welfare schemes and advise people of their entitlements.
Information on my Department's schemes and services is also available from the network of local social welfare offices and branch offices throughout the country. Each office has a dedicated information officer. Information is also available through the wide network of citizen's information centres which are supported by Comhairle.
I am committed to promoting and encouraging the maximum possible take-up of social welfare schemes and services through the continued development of my Department's information services. I will launch an information services strategy for 2003 to 2006 very soon. It will articulate a coherent and comprehensive strategy for the future development and expansion of this service.
There are arrangements in place for the payment of arrears under certain conditions where people are late in claiming payments. These arrangements have been improved substantially in recent years.
My Department also adopts a proactive approach, where possible, to informing possible future beneficiaries of our schemes and services. For example, all persons receiving social welfare benefits are notified of their potential entitlement to retirement or old age contributory pension some three months before the pension becomes due at age 65 and 66 years, respectively.
