asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of children's allowances outstanding as a result of the postal dispute will be made.

Payment of children's allowances will shortly be resumed at all post offices. It is expected that the delivery of all outstanding allowance books will be completed within a few weeks.

Would the Minister give an assurance to the House that retrospective payments will be made to parents or people who could not lodge a claim as a result of the postal strike?

We will make sure nobody suffers as a result of the postal strike.

The remaining questions will appear on the Order Paper for the next sitting day.