Page 70 of the programme for Government includes a commitment to improve the lives of people on welfare payments through providing better access and supports. I do not know if the Taoiseach is aware that in recent times the medical form that needs to be signed to receive illness benefit payments was changed without consultation with general practitioners. It is creating a severe backlog. Coupled with the centralisation of decision-making in such cases and the absolute inability of anybody to contact the helpline in the Department when applying for the payment, it is leading to unnecessary delays and hardship. What measures are being put in place to alleviate the unnecessary delays in receiving a payment that is paid for by those claiming it through their stamps? I am receiving numerous calls at my constituency clinics. The new form is creating hardship all over the country. The issue needs to be addressed immediately.

Anyone who is entitled to receive illness benefit and does not will have his or her payments backdated to the point at which they were entitled to receive it.

That will not help them to pay for groceries.

It is a simplification process. The process is being moved online. As happened with maternity and paternity benefit payments in the past, it does appear that there are some problems in making the transition. I stand to be corrected, but I understand there were consultations with doctors through the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, but not the National Association of General Practitioners, NAGP. The Deputy will know that there is an issue between the two bodies. It is the IMO with which Departments consult on these issues. We are very keen to have the matter resolved as soon as possible. Anyone who does not receive his or her entitlements will have the payments backdated. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, to provide the Deputy with an update that is more up to date.