asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will receive his living alone allowance.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
485.
It has been decided that the person concerned is entitled to a living alone allowance from 26 October 1984. The appropriate pension book payable from 4 January 1985 issued on 5 February 1985 and a payable order covering the arrears due from 26 October 1984 issued on 12 February 1985.
486.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a widow (details supplied) in Dublin 13 was recently cut off supplementary assistance with the payment of her house mortage although she had received this assistance all through 1984; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is understood from the Eastern Health Board that following a review of the circumstances of the person concerned it was decided that having regard to the level of her income and of her mortgage interest repayments she was no longer entitled to a payment in respect of mortgage interest under the supplementary welfare allowances scheme. It is open to her to appeal against the decision if she is dissatisfied with it.
487.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a widow (details supplied) in Dublin 13 was recently cut off supplementary assistance with the payment of her house mortgage although she had received this assistance all through 1984; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is understood from the Eastern Health Board that following a review of the circumstances of the person concerned it was decided that having regard to the level of her income and of her mortgage interest repayments she was no longer entitled to a payment in respect of her mortgage interest under the supplementary welfare allowances scheme. It is open to her to appeal against the decision if she is dissatisfied with it.
488.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the family supplement allowance has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.
One of the conditions for receipt of family income supplement is that a person must normally be engaged in remunerative employment as an employee for not less than 30 hours a week. The person concerned does not satisfy that condition and his claim to family income supplement had to be disallowed. He was notified of the decision and of his right of appeal against it.
489.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason disability benefit was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary as she claimed disability benefit from 15 October 1984, for two weeks and was not paid and was also out of work from 2 January 1985 to 14 January and was not paid; when she will be paid; and the amount she will be paid.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 15 October 1984 but she was not qualified for payment as according to the records of the Department she has less than the required minimum of 26 paid or credited contributions in 1982-83, the contribution year governing her claim. She also claimed disability benefit from 3 January 1985 to 12 January 1985. Payment was not authorised initially as her claim was also governed by the 1982-83 contribution year.
From 7 January 1985 the contribution year changed to the 1983-84 contribution year. The person concerned has 52 A1 contributions paid in this period and she therefore qualified for payment of disability benefit from 7 January 1985 to 12 January 1985 when she was certified fit to resume work. However, she also claimed supplementary welfare allowance of £40 from the health board for this period. Her disability benefit payment of £32.75 has been withheld therefore and refunded to the health board.
490.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when an invalidity pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
Invalidity pension is payable in place of disability benefit to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 24 January 1983 and payment is being made at regular weekly intervals. Arrangements are being made to have him examined by a medical referee on 28 February 1985. His entitlement to invalidity pension will be reviewed in the light of the report of this examination.
491.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive disability benefit.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 17 December 1984 and was paid to 5 January 1985 after which date he was certified fit to resume work. He was issued with a claim form to complete in respect of adult and child dependants if applicable and in the meantime payment was issued at the rate appropriate to a single man. The completed claim form was not received in the Department and the person concerned has now been issued with a new claim form. When this is received his claim will be reviewed without delay and any arrears of benefit that may be payable will be issued.
492.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of unemployment assistance now being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; his Department's current assessment of his means in the light of the most recent information supplied; if he is aware that there was a dispute between the claimant and his Department in the course of 1983 and 1984 as to his means; and whether this dispute has been resolved.
The unemployment assistance claim of the person was disallowed from 25 May 1983 on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit. His means were derived from his wife's earnings. He appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and an appeals officer also assessed him with means exceeding the statutory limit. Accordingly, his claim continued to be disallowed and he was informed of this decision. He has not signed as unemployed at his local office since 27 August 1983.
493.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when payment of the family income supplement will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny.
The person concerned was awarded a family income supplement at the weekly rate of £4.75 from 6 September 1984. The appropriate order book was issued to the designated post office on 25 February 1985 and the claimant was notified accordingly on that date.
494.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to alter the rate of PRSI contributions payable by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who is the holder of a medical card since March 1984; and if he will also arrange for payment of arrears on the higher rate of contributions made since that time.
It has been confirmed from the employers of the person concerned that contributions are being deducted from his wages at the correct percentage rate (Class A3) since 21 February 1985. However, as contributions were previously deducted at the Class A1 percentage rate, the person concerned is entitled to a refund of the difference beteen the Class A1 and Class A3 percentage rates from the date of issue of his medical services card and the employer has been requested to make the appropriate refund as soon as possible.
495.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in the payment of disability benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
The person concerned claimed disability benefit from 21 December 1982 and payment was issued to 22 December 1984. Payment was temporarily suspended after that date because of an administrative error. However, the matter has since been rectified and all disability benefit payable to 2 March 1985 has been issued to her.
496.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway is only in receipt of £17 per week unemployment assistance; if he will give specific details of the means assessed against this person; and if he will have an immediate review of the amount payable with a view to having it increased.
The means of the person concerned were assessed by a deciding officer at £16.95 weekly derived from the value of board and lodging on his mother's holding. In calculating this amount the deciding officer assessed the net yearly profit of the farm at £3,530. On a weighted basis the applicant was deemed to enjoy a quarter of the net income namely £882.50 per annum or £16.95 weekly. He is accordingly at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £14.80 weekly being the appropriate rate £31.75 less £16.95 means. If he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him it is open to him to appeal against the decision. A form on which to appeal may be obtained from his local office.
497.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason the maximum rate of unemployment assistance is not being paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance at £48.95 weekly, the appropriate rate £68.15 less means of £19.20. His means are derived from self-employment as a contractor. If he is dissatisfied with the amount of means assessed against him, it is open to him to appeal against the decision. A form for this purpose may be obtained from his local office.
498.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when unemployment assistance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person concerned exhausted her entitlement to unemployment benefit on 12 December 1984 and has been in receipt of unemployment assistance since then, at £31.65 weekly the appropriate rate £31.75 less means 10p. Her means are derived from the value of capital.
499.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway did not qualify for the family income supplement.
The claim of the person concerned for family income supplement was disallowed on the ground that her gross weekly income as stated on the claim from exceeds £95, the maximum amount for entitlement to a supplement in the case of a person with one qualified child. She was notified of the decision and of her right of appeal against it.
500.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he will pay arrears of benefit to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
A payable order for the arrears in question, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her by the South Eastern Health Board while awaiting a decision on her claim, was sent to the person concerned on 20 February 1985.
501.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be entitled to a free telephone rental allowance; and, if so, when.
The person concerned was approved for a free telephone rental allowance on 22 February 1985 and was notified to this effect on 25 February 1985. Telecom Éireann has been informed of the decision in this case and will arrange to apply the allowance from the date on which the applicant is provided with telephone service.
502.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded an invalidity pension as he will be unable to work again.
The person concerned has been in receipt of disability benefit since 12 November 1983 and payment is being made at regular weekly intervals. Invalidity pension is payable in place of disability benefit to insured persons who satisfy the contribution conditions and who are permanently incapable of work. The person concerned was examined in January last by a medical referee who expressed the opinion that he was not permanently incapable of work and asked to have him referred for a further examination after four months. The question of entitlement to invalidity pension will be considered after that examination.
503.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a decision will be made in relation to a deserted wife's allowance application from a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if payments will be made at the maximum rate.
The person concerned has been awarded deserted wife's benefit with effect from 13 September 1984 in respect of herself and one qualified child at the rate of £53.90 per week. This is a reduced benefit rate based on a yearly average of 36 insurance contributions derived from her husband's insurance record between his date of entry into insurance and the last complete contribution year prior to the date of desertion. For benefit at the maximum rate (in her case £55.10) a yearly average of 48 or more is required. An order book payable from 28 February 1985 has been issued to the designated post office for collection by her and she has been notified accordingly. A payable order in respect of arrears for the period from 13 September 1984 to 27 February 1985, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid to her during that time, will be sent direct to her shortly.
504.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if arrears of unemployment benefit payments will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
The person concerned claimed unemployment benefit from 17 September 1984 and her claim was disallowed from that date to 27 October 1984 on the grounds that she left employment voluntarily without just cause. Her claim was also disallowed on the grounds that she did not satisfy the condition of being available for work from 29 October 1984 to 19 November 1984. She appealed against this disallowance and attended an oral hearing of her case on 6 February 1985, the appeals officer upheld the decision and disallowed her unemployment benefit claim. She continued to sign as unemployed and following the completion of inquiries to establish that she fulfilled the condition of being available for work, her claim was allowed from 24 November 1984 at £32.75 weekly the appropriate rate in her case. Further weekly payments will be made as they become due.
505.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be awarded increased level of payments for unemployment assistance.
The person concerned is at present in receipt of unemployment assistance on the basis of an old qualification certificate. His claim was re-investigated recently and he failed to co-operate with the social welfare officer investigating his claim. He is now being advised through his local office that he will be given another opportunity to co-operate and disclose full details of his means. His rate of unemployment assistance will be reviewed in the light of the social welfare officer's report.
506.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason unemployment assistance was reduced from £31.35 to £1.95 per week in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter having regard to the hardship imposed on this person as a result of the decision.
Following a review of the means of the person concerned he was assessed with means at £29.80 weekly derived from the profit from his holding with effect from 30 January 1985. He is accordingly in receipt of unemployment assistance at the weekly rate of £1.95 being the appropriate rate £31.75 less means £29.80. He recently appealed against the amount of means assessed against him and his case is being referred to an appeals officer for determination of his means. The rate of unemployment assistance payable to him will be reviewed in the light of the appeals officer's decision.
507.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who is receiving English disability benefit and who has a medical card is entitled to any payments here as he paid stamps in this country up to 1973 and then transferred to England without a break in insurance payments.
The person concerned was last insurably employed in the United Kingdom. Under the EC Regulations on Social Security the claim for sickness benefit is, therefore, the responsibility of the Department of Health and Social Security, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and sickness benefit is at present in payment to him from that Department. The EC Regulations stipulate that sickness benefit may be paid by one EC social security institution only for any period of incapacity. The person concerned is therefore not entitled to claim benefit from this Department. However, if his means are insufficient to meet his needs, he may be entitled to supplementary welfare allowance, which is subject to a means test. In this regard he should contact his local community welfare officer.