Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 November 2004
100 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the nature of his Department’s campaign to alert pensioners to their entitlements; his views on the fact that thousands of over 65 year olds are failing to apply for their old age pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28220/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the advertising campaign referred to by the Deputy is to alert people coming up to pension age that they should apply for their pension at least three months before they reach pension age. Delays in the payment of old age pensions arising from late applications have been an ongoing issue for my Department for some time and I am keen to get the message across that early applications helps both the pensioner and my Department. There is no evidence to support the Deputy's contention that large numbers are failing to apply for their pension entitlements but I am determined to ensure that people are aware of their entitlements and the necessity to apply on time so that they can be paid their pension in a timely fashion.
My Department takes a proactive approach in advertising our range of pension schemes. Staff in my Department participate at public events, such as the "Over 50s Exhibition" in the RDS, promoting all social welfare pensions and advising people on their entitlements. In addition, staff visit many organisations, such as employer groups, pre-retirement seminars and courses, and voluntary and community organisations, and provide presentations on social welfare pension entitlements.
My Department produces a comprehensive range of information leaflets and booklets covering each social welfare payment or scheme. These information leaflets are available in a wide range of outlets countrywide, including all social welfare local offices, citizen's information centres, post offices and in a wide range of other organisations such as local community centres. My Department works closely with all relevant voluntary organisations engaged in information provision, a number of which receive funding on an annual basis towards the cost of disseminating information to their target groups.
New schemes, changes and improvements to existing schemes and services are advertised, using an appropriate mix of national and provincial media, fact sheets, posters and from time to time direct mailshots. Selective use is also made of freephone services to provide information and advice on the introduction of new schemes or, for example, at budget time. We have also recently introduced a LoCall leaflet line where the public can obtain an information leaflet on any social welfare scheme or service. This initiative has been particularly successful and we are now receiving over 300 calls per day on this channel.
The central information services unit in my Department operates a telephone information service for the public and there is an information officer in each of the social welfare local offices around the country. The public can also access information on social welfare pensions and services through the Department's website www.welfare.ie.
Comhairle, the statutory agency responsible for the provision of independent information, advice and advocacy services for all citizens throughout the country, comes within the remit of my Department. Comhairle currently supports some 85 independent citizen's information centres which are locally based and provide information on a wide range of social services, including pensions. Comhairle also operates the citizen's information phone service and manages the information website OASIS.gov.ie which is a source of information on a wide range of social services. It also produces an information booklet “Entitlements for the Over 60s” on an annual basis.
