asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline the reasons for the long delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 17 January 1981 and has been paid at the maximum appropriate rate from that date. Payment of all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due, less amount reimbursed to the health board of supplementary welfare allowance advanced, has been made to 6 March 1981 after which date he claimed unemployment benefit.

The delay in payment was due mainly to the fact that he quoted his insurance number instead of his RSI number on some of the medical certificates submitted in connection with his claim.

I am informed that this applicant submitted at least six or seven applications and that he quoted the correct number on each occasion.

I have given the Deputy the answer as prepared for me by the officials in my Department. If the Deputy believes that there is other evidence or information available, I will be glad to get it. The fact is that the certificates are at present in the Department. It was after looking at those certificates that my officials prepared the answer I have just given.

I do not have reason to disbelieve my constituent who informed me of the facts. I will take the matter up with the officials of the Minister's Department.