asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware that hardship and distress is suffered by the many old age pensioners who are inmates of institutional hospitals by the delay of six to seven weeks in the reissue of their pension books and, if so, if he will have inquiries made in order to remedy the situation.

I am not aware that a situation as suggested in the question exists. If the Deputy will let me have particulars regarding any cases of the sort which have come to his notice I will have them investigated.