asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
357.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds that by refusing to furnish details of her means she failed to show that her means did not exceed the statutory limit. She was advised of the disallowance and of her right to appeal and to have her case determined by an appeals officer but to date she has not done so.
358.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the result of the claim for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 following reinvestigation by the local social welfare officer.
The means of the person concerned were reduced from £29.60 weekly to £24.60 weekly derived from his wife's earnings. His weekly rate of unemployment assistance has been increased to £46.95 increasing to £50.50 from 5 October 1983 and arrangements have been made to pay adjusting arrears with his weekly payments next week.
The person concerned however recently applied to have his means again reinvestigated on the grounds that his wife was no longer engaged in employment. The case has been referred to a social welfare officer for a report and when the inquiries are completed the assessment of his means will be reviewed and the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be determined accordingly.
359.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a non-contributory widow's pension has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow as the application has been made and she has no income.
A claim from the person concerned for a widow's pension was received in the Department on 21 October 1983. The local social welfare officer has been requested to furnish a report on the claimant's circumstances to establish if she qualifies for a widow's non-contributory pension. A decision on her entitlement will be given as soon as the officer's report is received, and the widow will be notified.
In addition, inquiries regarding her entitlement to a widow's contributory pension on the basis of her late husband's insurance record are being made at present. When these inquiries have been completed a decision will be given and the claimant will be informed of the outcome.
According to the records of the Department the late husband also had employment in Britain and accordingly the relevant papers have been forwarded to the Department of Health and Social Security, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in order to have her title to a British widow's pension considered. That Department will notify her of the result.
Meanwhile it is understood that the claimant is in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance from the South-Eastern Health Board.
360.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit has been discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary as he is still seriously ill; and when payment will recommence.
The person concerned was paid disability from 16 July 1982 to 14 July 1983. Payment ceased after that date as he had not the necessary 156 paid contributions since his entry into insurable employment to entitle him to payment in excess of 52 weeks. According to the records of the Department he had only 126 contributions paid on his behalf since entry into insurance. He was notified accordingly on 2 August 1983.
He cannot requalify for payment of benefit until he resumes employment and has at least 13 weeks of insurable employment for which contributions at the appropriate rate have been paid.
361.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when disability benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Cork.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 15 September 1983 and his claim was allowed at the weekly rate of £79.95 and payments are being made to him as they become due.
Prior to his employment benefit claim he received disability benefit to which he was entitled during the period 26 October 1982 to 26 November 1982. The amount of disability benefit overpaid amounted to £136.76 and recovery is being made by weekly deductions of £5 from his current unemployment benefit payments.
362.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployment assistance at the maximum rate will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The application of the person concerned for unemployment assistance on 31 December 1982 was authorised at £56.05 a week being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £57.95 less factually assessed means of £1.90 derived from land. Following a review of his means he was factually assessed with weekly means of £3.85 derived form land with effect from 23 February 1983. Unemployment assistance was reauthorised in his case from 23 February 1983 at £54.10 a week (£57.95 less means £3.85) increased to £59.90 (£63.75 less means £3.85) from 29 June 1983. He appealed against the amount of means reassessed against him and the appeals officer confirmed the decision. Weekly payments of £59.90 will continue to be made as they become due.
363.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to expedite the payment of a deserted wife's allowance to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
The person concerned has been awarded deserted wife's benefit with effect from 5 May 1983 at the rate of £56.65 per week, increased to £63.45 per week from 30 June 1983, which is the maximum rate to a woman with two qualified children.
An order book payable from 8 December 1983 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by the claimant and she has been notified accordingly. A payable order in respect of arrears for the period from 5 May 1983 to 7 December 1983 will be sent direct to her shortly.
364.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway as he has no other source of income; the amount that will be paid to him; and the date on which it will be paid.
The entitlement of the person concerned to unemployment assistance could not be determined until inquiries about his means had been completed. These inquiries were recently completed and he was assessed with means at £24 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging on his parents holding.
He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £4 weekly being the maximum rate payable to him £28 weekly less £24 means. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due from 4 October 1983 this week and further payments will be made as weekly payments become due.
365.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons unemployment assistance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the amount that will be paid; the date on which it will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The application of the person concerned for unemployment assistance on 18 July 1983 was authorised following inquiries into his means at £3.95 a week being the appropriate maximum rate in his case of £28 less means of £24.05 derived from the value of capital and board and lodging on his cousin's farm. All arrears due were issued to him last week and weekly payments of £3.95 continue to be made as they become due.
366.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason old age pension books were removed from a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if he is aware of the urgency of this situation; if he will direct his Department to pay this pension immediately on a weekly basis; if all arrears will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The pensioner concerned has been in receipt of old age contributory pension since 13 August 1982. He applied to change the post office of payment. This was done and the book returned to the named post office on 17 November 1983. All pension payments due to date have been made to the pensioner and will continue to be paid to him on a weekly basis in the normal manner.
367.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned was assessed with means in excess of the statutory limit derived from the profit from land following a reinvestigation of his case by a social welfare officer. His unemployment assistance claim was accordingly disallowed from 19 October 1983.
He appealed against the disallowance of his claim and in the light of contentions made in support of his appeal his case has been referred again to a social welfare officer for additional inquiries. When these are completed his case will be submitted to an appeals officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in accordance with the decision of the appeals officer.
368.
Mr. Coughlan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The person concerned is not qualified for unemployment benefit on the basis of her Irish contribution record. She was, however, last employed in this country, and under the provision of EEC regulations she is eligible to have her British and Irish contributions aggregated for the purposes of her unemployment benefit claim.
The Department of Health and Social Security, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, have been asked to furnish details of her British contribution record and when they do so, her entitlement to unemployment benefit will be reviewed in the light of her full contribution record.
369.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite a decision regarding an application for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
Following the completion of inquiries by a social welfare officer the means of the person concerned were assessed at £25.90 weekly derived from the profit from land, from capital and the letting of a flat. He is accordingly entitled to unemployment assistance at £24.85 weekly being the maximum weekly rate payable to him £50.75 less £25.90 means. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week and further payments will be made as weekly payments become due.
370.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will expedite a decision regarding an application for unemployment assistance by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon.
The case of the person concerned was referred to a social welfare officer for a reinvestigation of his means. He refused to co-operate in the investigation and would not make details of his holding and bank accounts available. His unemployment assistance claim was accordingly disallowed on the grounds that by failing to furnish details of his means, he failed to show that his means did not exceed the statutory limit.
He appealed against the disallowance and was given a further opportunity to co-operate with the social welfare officer but did not do so. His case has now been submitted to an appeals officer and his entitlement to unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the decision.
371.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment benefit will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork as she applied four weeks ago.
Following the completion of inquiries to ascertain her contribution record the unemployment benefit claim of the person concerned was authorised at the maximum rate payable to her £34.80 weekly. Pay-related benefit payable from 5 December 1983 was also authorised at £16.79 weekly. Arrangements have been made to pay all arrears due this week and further combined payments at £51.59 weekly will be made as they become due.