asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the undue delay in paying disability benefit (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and when payment will be made.

The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 27 January 1982 to 1 March 1982 after which date he resumed work, and has been paid all benefit due in respect of this period at the maximum appropriate rate.

The delay in payment was due mainly to the fact that the medical certificates were submitted by the claimant at irregular intervals. For instance, the three certificates dated 3, 10 and 11 February were received together on 15 February and payment thereon was made on 17 February 1982. The certificates dated 17, 24 February and 3 March were received together on 9 March 1982 and payment was issued on 18 March. In addition, the claim form giving details of his wife and children were received on 22 February, and the adjusting payments due were issued on 1 March and 2 March 1982. The final adjusting payment, however, did not issue until 4 May 1982 after inquiries regarding the nature and origin of his incapacity had been completed.

Is the Minister aware of the stress and anxiety caused to married men with wives and dependent children when payments do not come through when they should? The information given by the Minister does not coincide with the figures made available to me. I urge the Minister to stress to the relevant section in the Department that they should ensure that payments such as these will be made quickly and promptly to deserving cases.

I agree generally with the Deputy about the desirability of having payments made promptly. However, if the certificates come in at irregular intervals, in groups of three covering a period — in the first instance it was not stated clearly on the certificate that dependants were involved — it is made difficult for the Department to get all the payments made specifically and exactly. The Minister of State and I will do everything we can to ensure payments will be made on time.

10.