The Minister might consider changing the intitials RSI because of the confusion with PRSI. He stated that people do not use their RSI numbers. As regards the question I wished to raise today by way of Private Notice Question, which was refused, and which I also raised two weeks ago, that was not the case. The person submitted a medical certificate and RSI number and yet the Department had the gall to tell me today that his medical certificate was not supplied when the person had queued for hours and handed it in. Does the Minister still stand over his statement that the only problem is that people do not use their RSI number?

This is the last time this question will be allowed to be raised.

In a number of cases raised specifically by the Deputy either the RSI number was not given or the medical referee said that the person was fit to go back to work. That is a medical decision and not mine. Another major element is that governing contributions. Quite a few of them have not recorded their contributions for the year in question which means they cannot be seen to be in benefit. In some instances, this is due to employers not returning the information. In that case we provide credited contributions. We are giving credit even though we do not have the evidence in the first instance. We are doing everything we can to improve the situation. That is the reality of the situation. I accept that it is a problem but I am doing what I can.

3.