asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability and pay-related benefits to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 6 February 1981 and has been paid from 10 February, fourth day of incapacity, at the maximum appropriate rate. There has been no delay in payment and all disability benefit and pay-related benefit due to 4 May has issued.

How can the Minister say that there is no delay because the person wrote to me complaining that there had been a major delay?

The first cheque issued on 20 February for a claim of 10 February. That is why the Department say there was no delay.

41.