asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 7 January 1981 and has been paid from 10 January, the fourth day of incapacity, to 10 February 1981. He was certified fit to resume work on 11 February. Payment issued at the maximum weekly rate appropriate to a single man. He was also paid pay-related benefit at £35.09 per week from 21 January, the thirteenth day of incapacity. All disability benefit and pay-related benefit due has issued.

The delay in payment was due to the fact that he is quoting his insurance number instead of his RSI number on his medical certificates.

It is like bingo.

We have made it clear to Deputies that they should get the other numbers——

Would Deputies allow Deputy Pattison to ask a supplementary question?

Can the Minister state on what date this man was paid? Arising from his reply it is somewhat ambiguous when the Minister states that he was paid from such a date. That does not mean he was paid on that date or near that date. In these replies it should be made quite clear when the person was paid.

When was the cheque issued?

He has been paid from 10 January. He was also paid pay-related benefit from 21 January. I have not got the date on which he was actually paid.

Ceist 7.

I have answered the question. If the Deputy asks a specific question——

Would the Minister answer Ceist 7?

7.