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 18 July 1979 and payment had been issuing at regular weekly intervals to 27 December 1980. As he did not attend for an examination by a medical referee of my Department, payment was suspended after that date. On receipt of an explanation for non-attendance, payment was restored and issued to 10 January 1981. Due to an error in recording the date to which payment was made, cheques ceased to issue after 12 January 1981.,

Payment for the period from 12 January to 21 February 1981 has since been made, cheques issuing on 13 February, and the issue of payment at weekly intervals has been resumed.

Will the Minister accept that this would have been a very simple case to resolve if we had access to his Department?

I do not understand the question. The Deputy has access to my office. Indeed, many Deputies use my office to pursue cases.

The Minister should try getting through to his office.

I am calling Question No. 21.

21.