Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason pensioners who worked in the 1960s were not informed adequately about pension issues; and if there is an obligation on his Department to ensure all pensioners are informed of all entitlements. [6966/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The objective of my Department's information policy is to ensure that all citizens, including pensioners, are made aware of their entitlements and that they are kept informed of changes and improvements in schemes and services as they occur. The provision of information in a clear and accessible manner is an essential element of this.

Comprehensive information and guidance in relation to social welfare schemes and services is available through my Department's network of over 130 local offices throughout the country. In some 59 Social Welfare Local Offices of my Department, officers who are dedicated to providing information are available to explain supports and services and to help and assist people in completing forms and accessing their entitlements. This service is available to pensioners in common with other members of the public.

My Department produces a comprehensive range of information leaflets and booklets covering each social welfare payment or scheme. Information booklets for pensioners include publications on State Pension Transition, State Pension Contributory, State Pension Non-Contributory, Household Benefits Package, Free Travel, National Fuel Scheme and Living Alone Allowance.

A Guide to Social Welfare Services (SW4), giving information on all our schemes and services, is also available. New pensioners are issued with a "Pensioners Checklist" advising them of all the supports to which they may be entitled. Information leaflets are available in a wide range of outlets across the country, including all Social Welfare Local Offices, Citizens Information Centres, Post Offices and from my Department's LoCall Leaflet Line at 1890 20 23 25. Information is also available on my Department's website www.welfare.ie.

The Central Information Services Unit in my Department operates a phone service where people can get information on all our services. My Department takes a proactive approach in advertising new schemes and changes and improvements to existing schemes and services, by using an appropriate mix of national and provincial media, information leaflets, fact sheets, posters and direct mailshots.

My Department regularly gives presentations or talks to retirement or pre-retirement groups. Information stands are also provided at exhibitions throughout the country promoting information on social welfare rights and entitlements, including the annual Over-50s Shows.

My Department also works closely with the Citizens Information Board which provides information on social services through its nationwide network of Citizens Information Centres (CICs), the Citizens Information website and phone service. A number of voluntary organisations are also funded by my Department for the provision of welfare rights and information services for various groups including older people.

In time, the Department hopes to be in a position to offer pensions customers an enhanced service by proactively inviting them to claim pensions in advance of reaching pension age. In this regard, work has already commenced on the preparation of social insurance contribution records for persons who are approaching pension age, to establish their entitlement to pension in advance.

I am not aware of any particular issue regarding information provision to pensioners who worked in the 1960s. If the Deputy is aware of particular difficulties in this regard, my Department would be happy to deal with any queries. The Information Services Section of my Department may be contacted by telephone at LoCall 1890 66 22 44 or by writing to Information Services, Social Welfare Services Office, Department of Social and Family Affairs, College Road, Sligo.